Garmin “Autoland” aka “Safe Return,” has been used for the first time, successfully.
Autoland is an emergency system, where a passenger can hit a big red button if the pilot is in incapacitated, which causes the airplane to make emergency radio calls, navigate to a nearby airport with a long runway and medical facilities, and conduct an instrument approach and landing, followed by a full shutdown when the aircraft comes to a stop on the runway. Large screens and voice announcements keep passengers updated along the way.
The nature of the medical emergency on Saturday, involving a King Air with an unconscious pilot, has not been disclosed.
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Autoland Saves King Air, Everyone Reported Safe (Updated) - AvBrief.com
Aircraft landed safely at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport near Denver on Saturday afternoon.Russ Niles (AvBrief.com)