Garmin Autoland Approved for Pilatus PC-12 PRO

Garmin's Safety Autoland system has received certification from both the FAA and EASA for use on the Pilatus PC-12 PRO. The approval, granted on September 24, 2026, marks a significant expansion of the automated emergency landing technology to a widely used single-engine turboprop. Additional Autoland installations have also been announced for the Cessna Citation M2 Gen3.

System functionality and operation

The Autoland system can activate automatically after detecting pilot inactivity or be manually engaged by pressing a button. It takes full control of the aircraft. The system alerts those aboard upon activation.

Airport selection considers runway length, wind, weather, and available fuel. The system plots a route avoiding terrain and obstacles. It configures the aircraft for landing and operates flaps, landing gear, lighting, brakes, and de-icing equipment. Automated radio messages are transmitted to air traffic control and nearby aircraft. Certification flight testing covered the entire sequence from activation through landing and engine shutdown.

Integration with PC-12 PRO cockpit

The system is standard equipment on the PC-12 PRO. "Safety Autoland system is standard equipment on the latest PC-12 model," said Charles Alcock. The aircraft was introduced in March 2025 and features a redesigned cockpit built around Garmin’s G3000 Prime avionics. Garmin had identified the PC-12 PRO as the first aircraft certified with that new flight deck.

Cockpit technology and interface

Pilatus calls its cockpit installation the Advanced Cockpit Environment (ACE). It includes three main touchscreen displays, two smaller secondary screens, and a cursor control device. The cursor control device provides a physical alternative to touch inputs. Control yokes are derived from those in the PC-24 business jet.

The flight deck links crew alerts to electronic checklists. This allows pilots to open relevant checklists by touching an alert message. Garmin’s other safety functions in the PC-12 PRO include electronic stability protection, emergency descent mode, and autothrottle.

Broader Autoland certification landscape

Garmin Autoland is already certified on a range of other aircraft. Retrofit installations are available for eligible Beechcraft King Air 200-series and King Air 350 aircraft, depending on model year and equipment. Additional installations have been announced for several new models.

Garmin has listed Autoland availability for the PC-12 PRO separately for 2026.