Yet to be certified , Textron Aviation has announced that it is adding Garmin Emergency Autoland system, a first in its category, to its new clean-sheet design Beechcraft Denali single-engine turboprop cockpits. The new feature is being implemented into the aircraft’s development and flight test program and will be available as a standard feature at time of entry into service.
The Beechcraft Denali aircraft is designed and will be manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company. Announced at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh - 2015 , Textron Aviation started developing this single engine turboprop aircraft to compete likes of Piulatus PC-12 and Daher-Socota TBM under the name of 'Cessna Denali' , which was later renamed as 'Beechcraft Denali'.
The Garmin Emergency Autoland system is the world’s first certified system of its kind. It provides a means for the aircraft to land automatically in the unlikely event of pilot incapacitation. A passenger can activate the Emergency Autoland system by pressing a dedicated button in the cockpit.
Once activated, the system immediately takes control of the aircraft and informs ATC of the emergency. It then calculates a flight path to the most suitable airport or runway, while avoiding terrain and adverse weather, initiates a stabilized approach and automatically lands the aircraft, bringing it to a stop before shutting down the engine.
The twin crew Beechcraft Denali is designed to outperform its competition with projected lower operating costs, Garmin G3000 avionics, and the largest cabin in its class. Engineered to achieve cruise speeds of 285 knots with a full fuel payload of 1,100 pounds, the Denali will have a range of 1,600 nautical miles at high speed cruise with one pilot and four passengers.
Aircraft Dimensions :
Pax Capacity: 7-9 passengers / 1,100 lb (500 kg) payload.
Aircraft Length: 48 ft 9 in (14.86 m).
Wingspan: 54 ft 3 in (16.54 m).
Aircraft Height: 15 ft 2 in (4.62 m).
Cabin Height : 58 in (150 cm).
Cabin Width : 63 in (160 cm).
Cabin Length : 16 ft 9 in (5.11 m).
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Engines :
Powerplant : 1 × GE Catalyst Turboprop, 1,240 hp (920 kW).
Propellers : 5-bladed Mc Cauley, 8 ft 9 in (2.67 m) diameter composite, fully feathering and reversible.
Aircraft Range and Performance
Cruise speed: 328 mph (528 km/h, 285 kn) maximum
Range: 1,800 mi (3,000 km, 1,600 nmi) 1 pilot, 4 passengers, high speed cruise
Service ceiling: 31,000 ft (9,400 m)
Takeoff Distance : 2,950 ft (900 m)
“The Autoland system is an excellent addition to the Beechcraft Denali and the G3000 avionics suite, and we’ve included it in the program as a direct response to continued conversations with our customers,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president, Sales & Flight Operations. “The feature makes the Denali even more desirable to a wider audience as it adds yet another element of assurance and peace of mind for pilots and passengers.”
Textron Aviation is aligning the Beechcraft Denali aircraft certification timing, which is expected in 2025, to the certification timeline for the new Catalyst engine, a product of Avio Aero – part of GE Aerospace. The Denali is the first aircraft powered by the new, more efficient engine.
The Catalyst engine – a more efficient, FADEC-equipped, 1,300 shaft horsepower (SHP)-rated turboprop engine – eases pilot workload with its single-lever power and propeller control. Like the company’s other aircraft, the Denali can also use sustainable aviation fuel.
“We continue to experience great progress with the Denali development program, and we believe the aircraft will be a game changer in the single-engine, high-performance turboprop segment,” said Chris Hearne, senior vice president, Engineering. “Our customers are excited for the Emergency Autoland feature on the Denali and, while our goal is to achieve type certification as quickly as possible, it is of greatest importance to assure that every detail is completed with the highest quality.”
The Denali cockpit features the Garmin G3000 intuitive avionics suite featuring high-resolution and touchscreen controllers. An integrated Garmin autothrottle is now a standard feature, which interfaces with the Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) and Flight Management System (FMS) to provide easy speed control throughout all regimes of flight from takeoff to touchdown.
Other G3000 features include a 10-inch weather radar, Advanced Terrain Awareness Warning Systems (TAWS), and dual transponders with automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) capabilities, which are compliant with the latest air traffic control requirements.
The Denali flight test certification program features three flight test articles. The three flight test aircraft have surpassed 1,300 flight hours.
