Garmin Emergency Autoland IRL First Use Reported (all safe).

[Richard Connell]

It does not feel like autoland would be as computationally intensive task as the car full self driving. There are no pedestrians, no airplanes within a few feet radius, no traffic lights, or complex unprotected turns etc. The RV can fly an AP coupled approach already almost down to the numbers. Throttle management, landing flare, braking and comms are the only missing parts.

Yep 100%. Not to mention that cars have so solve for an infinite number of all of those possibilities in real time. Airplanes pretty much just a pre determined flight path and energy management.

As per usual aviation is generations behind due to poor economies of scale - and litigation as Paul mentioned.

 

[skirting_virga]

The RV can fly an AP coupled approach already almost down to the numbers.

Dumb question since I don't yet have an approach-capable GPS or AP - will modern systems (G3X, etc) allow you to fly an ILS below minimums? How about an LPV glideslope? No intent to break regs or be unsafe, but in an emergency, knowing if the system can do it would be helpful....

 

[jrs14855]

Dumb question since I don't yet have an approach-capable GPS or AP - will modern systems (G3X, etc) allow you to fly an ILS below minimums? How about an LPV glideslope? No intent to break regs or be unsafe, but in an emergency, knowing if the system can do it would be helpful....

The Garmin 430 or 530 will take you all the way to the runway. The antique ILS equipment will do the same. CAT 2 and 3 approaches preceded GPS.

 

[skirting_virga]

The Garmin 430 or 530 will take you all the way to the runway. The antique ILS equipment will do the same. CAT 2 and 3 approaches preceded GPS.

I'm sort of wondering if the newer GPS units (e.g. 650) will shut off G/S or the G3X would decouple the A/P when below mins. Figured Garmin may not want the liability of the system autopiloting someone below mins.

 

[ve0kog]

How about an LPV glideslope?

yes the vertical guidance continues down to the touchdown zone unless a missed approach is activated., even for non precision approaches (GPS visual approaches and VNAV "pseudo" glide path) are calculated down to the runway. The only problem the AP may not have enough control authority to stay on the GP when RV slows down to landing speed.