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Garmin's Emergency Autoland-TBM940/960
Emergency Descent Mode and Autoland Description:
Emergency Descent Mode (EDM): If supplemental oxygen and/or pressurization systems fail and hypoxia is assumed, emergency descent mode seeks to protect occupants by descending to lower altitudes where these devices aren’t required.
Autoland: In an emergency where the pilot is unable to fly, the system is either manually, or automatically activated to take complete control of the flight to land the airplane. It will maneuver the aircraft to avoid known obstacles, terrain, and weather. This means there are situations where the aircraft may climb. There may be cases where the system is activated too close to terrain or obstacles to execute successful avoidance maneuvers.
Auto (Emergency) Descent Mode (EDM) Logic:
To activate Emergency Descent Mode the Garmin AFCS autopilot is engaged AND cabin altitude discrete ‘High’ condition AND the pressure altitude is greater than 15,000 feet MSL. Once EDM has activated, a red annunciation is displayed on the PFD to the left of the AFCS annunciations.
Emergency Descent Mode will in turn initiate Emergency Autoland (if installed) if it has not been deactivated prior to the aircraft descending through 15,000ft MSL.
When EDM is activated, the throttles should reduce to idle and the speed brakes will extend to achieve maximum rate of decent at 265 KIAS (or Mach equivalent). The AFCS automatically sets the altitude preselect to 15,000 feet. The AFCS will also select a new heading, 90 degrees left of the current heading. These references cannot be manually changed until EDM is disengaged via the A/P DISC Button. The AFCS logic waits 3-5 seconds for the GDU to establish these references before selecting the appropriate FD/AT modes for EDM.
The autothrottle engages to manage power while EDM is active. This safety autothrottle mode does not require the full autothrottle feature to be installed.
ONCE ACTIVE, EDM CAN ONLY BE ABORTED BY DISCONNECTING THE AUTOPILOT. If the AP Key is pressed again an EDM Override advisory will appear and the pilot will have the ability to change AFCS modes as necessary. EDM Mode cannot be reentered until the EDM Override is cleared.
Autoland Logic:
The Avionics System identifies an emergency condition based on aircraft an operating mode:
- If the system is in Level Mode for 120 seconds, indicating possible pilot incapacitation or disorientation. Level Mode can be activated automatically due to the Electronic Stability & Protection feature or manually by the pilot.
OR
- If EDM has not been deactivated prior to the aircraft descending through 15,000 feet MSL, Emergency Autoland will be activated.
OR
- A pilot or passenger manually initiates Emergency Autoland via a cabin-mounted engagement switch.
Once active the system waits 15 seconds to allow the crew to deactivate if it was activated unintentionally.
THE AUTOLAND SYSTEM CAN BE DEACTIVATED BY PUSHING THE RED AUTOPILOT DISCONNECT BUTTON LOCATED ON THE YOKE OR PRESSING THE AP BUTTON ON THE AUTOPILOT CONTROLLER.
Emergency Autoland (EAL) Sequence of Events once Activated:
Several things happen simultaneously:
Changes transponder code to 7700.
Broadcasts Mayday and first Autoland destination message on the last pilot selected frequency.
“MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, AIRCRAFT NOVEMBER GOLF ROMEO MIKE NOVEMBER ONE, HAS ACTIVATED AN EMERGENCY AUTOMATIC LANDING SYSTEM. STANDBY FOR MORE DETAILS.”
Selects landing destination from a list of any airport passed within 200 NM since power on based on:
Prefers towered airfields, but tries to avoid busy airports e.g. Class ‘B’ or TMA anchored.
Hard surface runways that are 4990 feet long (5500 feet preferred) and 96 feet wide (preferred)
Must have a GPS Approach with Vertical guidance. (LNAV +V, LNAV/VNAV, LP +V, LPV)
Aircraft continues straight and level. (So ATC can maneuver aircraft out of the current vicinity.)
After 25 seconds the aircraft will broadcast intentions and starts to maneuver.
“AIRCRAFT NOVEMBER GOLF ROMEO MIKE NOVEMBER ONE, PILOT INCAPACITATION, FIFTEEN MILES WEST OF KILO MIKE KILO CHARLIE, EMERGENCY AUTOLAND IN SEVEN MINUTES ON RUNWAY ONE-NINE AT KILO MIKE KILO CHARLIE.”
The above message and subsequent broadcasts will be on Guard once every five minutes. If there are any changes to the destination, due to new input (weather), the change will be immediately broadcast.
The aircraft will descend (can be in a hold) as necessary. Within 12 miles and 10,000 feet AGL of the destination field the aircraft will switch over to the published CTAF frequency and broadcast intentions every 90 seconds.
“AIRCRAFT NOVEMBER GOLF ROMEO MIKE NOVEMBER ONE , PILOT INCAPACITATION, ELEVEN MILES WEST OF KILO MIKE KILO CHARLIE, EMERGENCY AUTOLAND IN FOUR MINUTES ON RUNWAY ONE-NINE AT KILO MIKE KILO CHARLIE.”
After landing, the aircraft will brake to stop and shutdown the engine. The following message will be broadcast until deactivation.
“ATTENTION KILO MIKE KILO CHARLIE TRAFFIC, AIRCRAFT NOVEMBER GOLF ROMEO MIKE NOVEMBER ONE, DISABLED ON RUNWAY ONE-NINE."
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can one re-engage Emergency Autoland once it has been deactivated?
Answer: Yes, after deactivation, MFD displays reactivation instructions for 1 minute in case of accidental deactivation. After deactivation, Emergency Autoland can be reactivated by the automatic logic or the manual engagement button.
How often is the aircraft broadcasting?
Answer: After the initial activation and broadcast there will be a broadcast 25 seconds later notifying of the intended destination. After that it will broadcast every five minutes, on Guard until it is in the airport environment. Once in the airport environment, it will continue to broadcast every five minutes on Guard and will also it will also broadcast every 90 seconds on CTAF frequency until deactivation.
If the pilot is incapacitated how can the passengers talk on the radio?
Answer: The passengers can Push and Hold the microphone icon on the touchscreen controller to talk on the radio. Release the touchscreen icon to listen.
How does Autoland update the passengers and the occupants (which may include the pilot in some situations) what is going on with the aircraft?
Answer: Autoland continuously displays the aircraft’s current phase of flight. Pilots or passengers can deactivate Autoland at any time.
PFD After Activation MFD After Activation
Why does Autoland prefer towered airports over non-towered airports?
Answer: Towered airports are preferred for better coordination with medical response and deconfliction with airport traffic.
Is Autoland restricted from being activated at a particular altitude?
Answer: Autoland is capable of engaging at any altitude. For example, if engaged within 1,000 feet AGL, the system will attempt to fly at the best rate or ‘fast climb’ away from terrain and/or obstacles.
Automatic EDM with EAL Reference
EDM armed above 15,000 ft MSL.
EDM activated and descends to 15,000 ft MSL.
Autoland activates at 15,000 ft MSL, flies straight and level for 15 seconds, and an emergency is declared. "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday..."
Begins route to divert airfield.
IF EDM IS NOT DISENGAGED BY THE TIME THE AIRCRAFT REACHES 15,000 FEET MSL THEN AUTOLAND WILL BE ACTIVE AND MAYDAY WILL BE DECLARED.
Pre-Flight Recommended Passenger Brief
When it would be appropriate to activate EAL.
How to manually activate EAL.
The importance of not manipulating the controls with EAL active.
The need to keep flight controls free of obstructions.
The system will determine the best route to a safe runway automatically.
The system will provide informational updates to the passengers as the landing progresses.
The system will make all necessary broadcasts to ATC and other aircraft but will not respond to ATC instructions.
Emergency personnel will be alerted and depending on landing time, will likely be waiting at the airport upon arrival.
The aircraft will lower the flaps and landing gear prior to landing.
The aircraft will stop on the runway after landing. (It will not taxi to parking.)
Passengers should wait for the system to inform them when to exit the aircraft.
If The Passengers Wish To Communicate With ATC, Clear Instructions For This Appear on The GTCs:
As shown here, the passengers can push and hold the microphone icon on the touchscreen controller to talk on the radio. Release the touchscreen icon to listen.
Autoland Communication
Broadcasts Mayday and destination message on last pilot selected frequency:
- Mayday Message.
25 Seconds later on 121.5 (and every five minutes until EAL deactivated):
- Declares destination.
When in the airport environment (<10,000 AGL & within 12NM):
- Broadcasts every 90 seconds on published CTAF.
- Once on the ground it will broadcast "Aircraft on Runway" Message.
Additional Information
Must have a valid terrain database loaded.
Only selects airports with a published GPS or RNAV Approach
May cross international boundaries.
Does not avoid MOAs, SUAs, TFRs, or Restricted Areas.
May land opposite direction to current traffic.
Does not know about personnel and equipment on the runways.
Does not receive braking action report.