Epic Aircraft has secured FAA certification for Garmin Autoland on the E1000 AX, clearing the emergency landing system for installation on the high-performance single-engine turboprop. The approval adds automated pilot-incapacitation protection to the Bend, Oregon-built aircraft, with passengers able to trigger the system from dedicated cabin buttons.
The system is integrated with the Garmin G1000 NXi flight deck and works with Garmin Autothrottle, which manages engine power and provides overspeed and underspeed protection. Once activated, Autoland selects an airport and runway using factors such as distance, runway length, fuel range, terrain and weather, then communicates with passengers and air traffic control before landing the aircraft and shutting down the engine without pilot input.
Epic had already received FAA type certification for the E1000 AX earlier, leaving Autoland as a separate approval step. The company has highlighted multiple activation buttons in the cabin as a distinguishing feature of the model, designed to give non-pilot occupants quicker access to the emergency system.