Garmin receives approval for GFC 600H installations on Airbus H130s

Garmin has announced receipt of supplemental type certificate (STC) approval for the installation of its GFC 600H helicopter flight control system on Airbus H130 helicopters.

The STC allows the system to be retrofitted on both the H130 and EC130 T2 through Garmin’s authorized dealer network, or be installed as an option for new H130s.

The system offers a range of functions, including attitude hold with speed stability, a hover assist mode, helicopter electronic stability and protection (H-ESP), a return-to-level (LVL) mode, as well as overspeed and low-speed protection.

The hover assist mode can automatically detect a hover condition, and allows for flight control inputs to help maintain position over the ground.

In conjunction with Garmin’s G500H TXi and GTN Xi units, the system also provides en route navigation guidance and fully coupled missed approach procedures including holds, as well as search and rescue (SAR) patterns.

The GFC 600H includes a console-mounted mode controller with push-button controls, and a night vision goggles (NVG) compatible display screen.

The main focus of the GFC 600H is to reduce pilot workload and improve mission effectiveness – something that is critical for aviators working in the special missions sector, and which reflects the H130’s use by some emergency air medical providers.

Californian air ambulance service Enloe Health FlightCare acquired a new H130 last year.