Garmin has received STC approval for its GFC 600H helicopter flight control system for retrofit on Airbus H130 helicopters. The advanced system is designed to reduce pilot workload and improve mission effectiveness.

The GFC 600H features several helicopter-specific capabilities such as attitude hold with speed stability, an innovative hover assist mode, Garmin Helicopter Electronic Stability and Protection (H-ESP), and overspeed and low-speed protections.

The system includes a console-mounted mode controller with push-button controls and a night vision goggle (NVG) compatible display. Integrated smart servos provide pitch and roll inputs as commanded, while a collective sensor adds proactive commands for smoother, more predictable flight control adjustments when the pilot moves the collective. Digitally controlled, high-performance servos enable faster, crisper and more powerful responses for smooth and efficient operation.

The Innovative hover assist mode can automatically detect a hover condition and supports flight control inputs to help maintain position over the ground. Additionally, yaw axis control enables the GFC 600H to maintain position and hold heading while hovering.

When paired with the G500H TXi and GTN Xi navigation systems, the GFC 600H allows automatic fly approaches, providing en route navigation guidance and fully coupled missed approach procedures including holds, as well as search and rescue patterns.

The system’s advanced attitude and heading reference system (AHRS) technology and redundant, cross-checking sensors support smooth handling throughout the flight envelope. Attitude retention mode reduces pilot workload by maintaining a specified attitude while providing inputs to help stabilise the helicopter when hand-flying.

Designed with the pilot in mind, the GFC 600H incorporates cyclic-mounted trim controls to allow for seamless control without needing to remove a hand from the flight controls during basic operations. Additional modes include altitude hold, altitude select, vertical speed, indicated airspeed and heading select.

H-ESP works in all modes, even when the system is not engaged, and can be manually disabled to allow for manoeuvring flight. A dedicated LVL button is included on the GFC 600H and can be engaged by the pilot to return to straight-and-level flight, helping to avoid potential disorientation in degraded visual environments, such as inadvertent entry into instrument meteorological conditions. With low altitude protection, the GFC 600H provides alerting and an automatic pitch mode change to assist the pilot in recovery to safe altitude.

The GFC 600H for the Airbus H130 and EC130 T2 is now available through Garmin’s authorised dealer network and will also be offered as a factory-installed option in new Airbus H130 helicopters.