Garmin Gfc500 Autopilot Is Finally Happening!

mshac · #1 03-11-24, 09:32 PM

I know its hard to believe, but Garmin finally wants to do a GFC500 certification for the 337! They've asked an associate Skymaster owner if he would be willing to let them have his airplane for several months for testing. This happened in the last week.

I know we've been down this road before http://www.337skymaster.com/messages...rmin+autopilot

Garmin looking for 50 buyers to cover the cost of engineering. Do we still have a list of owners who'd be willing to commit?

Garmin says $30k for the GFC500 and $5k for the GI275, so $35K all-in.

This includes four servos, so we get yaw dampening as well. Not sure we need it, but...

Please let me know if you have the old list, or if you'd be willing to put your name on the new list.

I know this is crazy after all the activity before, but here we are.

Dr.Dan · #2 03-12-24, 10:20 AM

That is great news. I was on the old list, and I'd like to be on the new list!

C-GWKK, previously N8988M

T337G

Already have GI275 x2 and GTN 750 xi

mshac · #3 03-12-24, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Dan

That is great news. I was on the old list, and I'd like to be on the new list!

C-GWKK, previously N8988M

T337G

Already have GI275 x2 and GTN 750 xi

So only $30k for you!

To anyone else thinking about it, the G5 is not compatible.

Galvine · #4 03-12-24, 07:53 PM

Absolutely!
Please put me on the list. I really hope this happens.

My last plane had the GFC600 autopilot and it’s a real game changer. More important, I believe a real safety feature. The “level”
Button alone can save a life.

I’ll be watching this closely and will offer my plane as a test bed if the other plane falls through

Thx for the update.

Greg N4CZ

mshac · #5 03-12-24, 08:14 PM

Yes, I agree a digital autopilot would really make the airframes more attractive as the install base grows. And safer!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galvine

Absolutely!
Please put me on the list. I really hope this happens.

My last plane had the GFC600 autopilot and it’s a real game changer. More important, I believe a real safety feature. The “level”
Button alone can save a life.

I’ll be watching this closely and will offer my plane as a test bed if the other plane falls through

Thx for the update.

Greg N4CZ

YankeeClipper · #6 03-19-24, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Dan

That is great news. I was on the old list, and I'd like to be on the new list!

C-GWKK, previously N8988M

T337G

Already have GI275 x2 and GTN 750 xi

I'm assuming that for a pre-existing GI275 to qualify, it would have had to be setup as an AI? Mine was not, and I was told it can't be reconfigured as such.

YankeeClipper · #7 03-19-24, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mshac

...

Please let me know if you have the old list, or if you'd be willing to put your name on the new list.

I know this is crazy after all the activity before, but here we are.

The "old list" might be too old to be reliable. I can imagine that Garmin might want to see fresh commitment from us. To get a new one (or even an older one) built up quickly, you might want to start a new thread clearly stating that folks should "sign up for GFC500 autopilot" commitments there, lest this one be dismissed among others as more general musings and postulation on the subject.

In any case, you'll have my name (right after having spent money refreshing my '69 Navomatic 400 of course).