Garmin International, Inc. a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN),
today announced the GFC™ 600H flight control system for helicopter
owners and operators – a breakthrough in cost-effective technology
that reduces pilot workload and improves mission effectiveness.
This attitude-based (AHRS-derived) flight control system boasts a
number of helicopter-tailored safety features, including stability
augmentation system (SAS), Garmin Helicopter Electronic Stability
and Protection (H-ESP™), dedicated return-to-level (LVL) mode,
hover assist, as well as overspeed and low speed protection. The
GFC 600H can operate as a full-featured standalone flight control
system, but also offers integration with compatible flight
displays, including the Garmin G500H and G500H TXi flight displays,
instruments and navigation sources.
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the full release here:
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The Garmin GFC™ 600H flight control
system for helicopter owners and operators is a breakthrough in
cost-effective technology that reduces pilot workload and improves
mission effectiveness. (Photo: Business Wire)
“Garmin designed the GFC 600H to significantly reduce inflight
workload, fatigue and stress levels for helicopter pilots who are
often faced with complicated missions in adverse weather conditions
or degraded visual environments,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin vice
president of aviation sales and marketing. “The GFC 600H combines
our industry-leading flight control capabilities with our
helicopter experience and aviation safety technology expertise to
deliver a system that ultimately allows pilots to focus more
attention on accomplishing the multitude of missions they face
while trusting their helicopter flight to us.”
With its advanced AHRS technology and redundant, cross-checking
sensors, the GFC 600H was designed for smooth handling. The GFC
600H includes SAS that provides inputs to help stabilize the
helicopter while hand-flying. The corrections provided by SAS serve
to improve the helicopter’s basic handling characteristics by
maintaining a commanded attitude. Designed with the pilot in mind,
its cyclic-mounted trim controls allows for seamless interactions
without taking a hand off of the helicopter flight controls during
basic operations, including system initialization of the SAS in
attitude mode, adjustments of the pitch and roll trim, and much
more. While flying with SAS, pilots can easily “fly through” the
flight control inputs for smooth maneuvers beyond the preset trim
condition.
Thanks to the hover assist mode, the system will also
automatically detect a hover condition and provide flight control
inputs to help maintain position over the ground. When equipped
with the optional yaw axis control, the GFC 600H will also hold
heading in hover.
As a standard feature, Garmin H-ESP helps the pilot remain
within a safe envelope when hand-flying the helicopter. Should the
pilot exceed pre-determined pitch, roll or airspeed limitations,
H-ESP provides a corrective force on the flight controls
proportionate to the exceedance. H-ESP works in all modes – even
when the pilot is hand-flying the aircraft with the system not
engaged – and can be manually disabled to allow for maneuvering
flight as needed. In potentially disorienting situations, the GFC
600H features a dedicated LVL mode that can be engaged by the pilot
to automatically initiate recovery from unusual attitudes and
return the aircraft to straight-and-level flight, helping to avoid
a potential loss-of-control scenario.
The flight director can be displayed on an optional G500H or
G500H TXi flight display to help guide the pilot’s hand-flown
inputs toward the desired flight path, including heading, altitude,
vertical speed, and airspeed modes. For enroute and approach
navigation, the system uses guidance from a compatible Garmin
navigator, such as the GTN™ 750/650 series, to automatically fly
approaches and search and rescue patterns. Additional vertical and
lateral modes include altitude hold, altitude select, vertical
speed, indicated airspeed and heading select.
The GFC 600H features a stack-width mode controller with
push-button controls and a night vision goggle (NVG) compatible
display. Its robust architecture allows for both 2-axis and 3-axis
configurations to provide the features and handling characteristics
needed for a helicopter. Integrated “smart” servos provide pitch
and roll inputs as commanded by the system, and the available third
servo and collective sensor provide yaw axis control capability and
smooth flight control adjustments when the pilot moves the
collective. Digitally controlled, high-torque servos allow for
faster, crisper, more powerful response, which enables the GFC 600H
to perform with smooth efficiency and advanced capability.
With its extensive features and advanced technology, the GFC
600H offers unprecedented value at a competitive price in a flight
control system for helicopters. Initial Supplemental Type
Certification (STC) for the Airbus AS350 B2/B3 is expected in Q4
2018. During the HAI HELI-EXPO in Las Vegas, Feb. 27-Mar. 1, the
GFC 600H will be on display in an AS350 B2 at the Garmin static
exhibit in the North Hall N8. The GFC 600H is supported by Garmin’s
award-winning aviation product support team, which provides 24/7
worldwide technical and warranty support.
Garmin’s aviation business segment is a leading provider of
solutions to OEM, aftermarket, military and government customers.
Garmin’s portfolio includes navigation, communication, flight
control, hazard avoidance, an expansive suite of ADS-B solutions
and other products and services that are known for innovation,
reliability, and value. For more information about Garmin’s full
line of avionics, go to www.garmin.com/aviation.
For decades, Garmin has pioneered new GPS navigation and
wireless devices and applications that are designed for people who
live an active lifestyle. Garmin serves five primary business
units, including automotive, aviation, fitness, marine, and outdoor
recreation. For more information, visit Garmin's virtual pressroom
at garmin.com/newsroom, contact the Media Relations department at
913-397-8200, or follow us at facebook.com/garmin,
twitter.com/garmin, or youtube.com/garmin.
About Garmin
Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd.
(Nasdaq: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its
principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and
the United Kingdom. Garmin is a registered trademarks and GFC,
H-ESP and GTN are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its
subsidiaries.
All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and
service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All
rights reserved.
Notice on Forward-Looking Statements
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding
Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on
management’s current expectations. The forward-looking events and
circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual
results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown
risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not
limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, filed by Garmin
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number
0-31983). A copy of such Form 10-K is available at
www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html. No
forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and
Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180222005103/en/
Garmin International, Inc.Carly Hysell,
913-397-8200media.relations@garmin.com
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