Olathe, Kan. – October 14, 2026 -- More than 2,500 aircraft are now equipped with Garmin Autoland, just over six years after the system's first certification, Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) announced. The technology is available on more than 15 aircraft models, spanning piston-powered aircraft and twin-engine jets.
Garmin describes Autoland as the world's first certified autonomous system that activates in an emergency to control and land an aircraft without human intervention. It has won the Robert J. Collier Trophy.
Four 2026 certifications extend Autoland into twin-engine jets
Autoland was first certified in May 2020 on the Piper M600 SLS. In 2026 alone, it gained certification on four more models: the HondaJet Elite II, Embraer Phenom 300EV, Pilatus PC-12 PRO and Epic E1000 AX.
The HondaJet Elite II and Phenom 300EV certifications mark the first availability of Autoland on twin-engine jets, extending the system into a new segment of business aviation.
Textron Aviation's Cessna Citation and Beechcraft Denali models are slated for 2027 certification
Garmin expects Autoland certification in 2027 for four Textron Aviation aircraft: the Cessna Citation M2 Gen3, CJ3 Gen3 and CJ4 Gen3, and the Beechcraft Denali.
Certified models today include:
- Piper M600 SLS and M700 FURY
- Cirrus Vision Jet G2, G2+ and G3, plus the SR20 G7+, SR22 G7+ and SR22T G7+
- Daher TBM 940, TBM 960 and TBM 980
- HondaJet Elite II
- Select Beechcraft King Air 200, B200, 300 and 350 aircraft
- Pilatus PC-12 PRO
- Epic E1000 AX
Nearly 250 aircraft received Autoland through retrofit, including King Airs built over 50 years ago
Of the 2,500-plus Autoland-equipped aircraft, nearly 250 were retrofitted after delivery. These include eligible platforms originally delivered without the technology enabled, as well as a full retrofit for King Air aircraft, some of which were produced more than 50 years ago.
Availability has also broadened across Garmin's integrated flight decks: G1000 NXi, G3000 and G3000 PRIME.
Autoland flies to the nearest suitable airport after a button press or when no pilot input is detected
A passenger can activate Autoland with a dedicated button during an emergency such as pilot incapacitation. The system can also activate automatically if it detects no pilot interaction.
Once active, it calculates a flight path to the most suitable airport while avoiding terrain and adverse weather, flies a stabilized approach and lands the aircraft. It also communicates with air traffic control en route.
Phil Straub, Garmin Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Aviation, said the 2,500 milestone reflects strong adoption across a widening range of aircraft and flight decks. Garmin says it continues to work with manufacturers and operators to bring Autoland to additional aircraft.