Page 6 - October 23

AUTOLAND ACTIVATION SEQUENCE
• Anti-ice vanes deploy within a few seconds of Autoland activation
• De-ice boots run repeatedly on a 3-minute timer if OAT is > -40˚
• Approach flaps: airspeed < 190 KIAS and within 10 miles of airport and less than 3,000 feet AGL
• Landing gear: < 160 KIAS and sequenced inside FAF; landing and taxi lights turned on
• Landing flaps: < 140 KIAS and sequenced inside FAF
• Automatic moderate braking applied after aircraft touchdown (no anti-skid or reverse)
• Uses nosewheel steering and differential braking to track center line
• Engine automatically shuts down when aircraft slows to less than 5 knots
Note: Autoland does not activate prop heat or auto ignition
A red, push-button “Autoland” switch is located on the pedestal and covered by a hinged clear guard to prevent accidental activation. There are a few items that will instigate the system to start its sequence even though the button hasn’t been pushed, which pertain to non-action by the pilot for a specific amount of time.
A Closer Look
The very first Garmin Autoland systems were installed in some SETPs (Single-Engine Turboprops) starting near 2020. In fact, Garmin was awarded the 2020 Collier Trophy for this new marvel. I wonder if there have yet been any actual cases in which Autoland saved the day for some SETP passengers. Anyone know of such incidents?
It is easy to tell if the Autoland option is installed in the King Air by noticing a red, push-button “Au- toland” switch on the pedestal that is covered by a hinged clear guard to prevent accidental activation. But what if the switch is not pushed? Perhaps the pilot fades out without the passengers knowing. Maybe the cockpit door is closed and the auto- pilot is tracking the route perfectly toward the destination. Now what?
A couple of other things will cause the Autoland sequence to begin even though the button has not been pushed. If no Garmin button has been moved within the last 20 minutes, an advisory message appears on the MFD. If that is ignored for another minute, the message changes to an amber color accompanied by an aural chime. If 30 more seconds elapse with no action, the message becomes red, another chime is triggered and the Autoland sequence begins.
The autopilot has an Emergency Descent Mode (EDM). When flying above 20,000 feet and a pressurization loss occurs and triggers the ALT WARN annunciator (cabin above 12,500 feet), the autopilot will turn 90 degrees to the left, reduce power and descend to 15,000 feet. Upon leveling at 15,000 – above all the continental U.S. mountains – if no action is taken by the crew within one minute, then the Autoland sequence begins.
So what exactly is the Autoland sequence? Lots of things, but here are some highlights. The MFD clearly displays comments and videos for the passengers to see, telling them ›
“ ... airborne delivery ships require high time ‘drivers,’ but no organization, civil or military, can justify unlimited training circuits.”
4 • KING AIR MAGAZINE
OCTOBER 2023