Garmin Emergency Autoland - Not a test

[goldeneagle]

Looks like the system has been used 'for real' now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3Nl3LOZNjc

[Daniel Cooper]

I can't help but selfishly worry about how this might hurt my career.

[digits_]

Pretty amazing.

But I can't help but wonder why they don't add 'mayday' in front of the automatic transmission to make it more clear. Other pilots tuning in might think it's a weird ATIS message.

[Dronepiper]

Pretty amazing.

But I can't help but wonder why they don't add 'mayday' in front of the automatic transmission to make it more clear. Other pilots tuning in might think it's a weird ATIS message.

I wonder why they don't also add the altitude read out in the AI transmission. That's pretty important in making sure you don't hit them.

[yhz41]

How does it know the pilot is incapacitated? Is it like new car technology where it doesn't get any input in x amount of minutes? Pretty cool technology.

[goldeneagle]

How does it know the pilot is incapacitated? Is it like new car technology where it doesn't get any input in x amount of minutes? Pretty cool technology.

I asked google, it came back with this.
====
AI Overview
Garmin Autoland can be triggered in two primary ways:
manually by a pilot or passenger, or automatically by the aircraft's systems if they determine the pilot is unable to fly.
Manual Activation
A pilot or passenger can manually engage the system by pressing a dedicated activation button located in the cockpit. This button is typically guarded to prevent accidental activation and is often framed in red for easy identification in an emergency.
Automatic Activation
The system can activate automatically through several triggers designed to detect pilot incapacitation:

Lack of Pilot Interaction: If the pilot does not interact with the flight deck for a specified period (which can be configured by the manufacturer), the system will display an "Are you alert?" message. If the pilot fails to acknowledge this prompt by pressing any button, Autoland can engage automatically.
Hypoxia Recognition System: When the aircraft is flying at high altitudes (typically above 14,900 feet) with the autopilot engaged, the system monitors pilot interaction. If no interaction is detected, it initiates an automatic descent to a lower, safer altitude. If the pilot remains unresponsive, Autoland will activate.
Prolonged Engagement of Level Mode/Electronic Stability and Protection (ESP): If the aircraft's ESP system is engaged (which happens when the aircraft enters an unusual attitude, such as an aggressive bank or pitch) and the aircraft remains in a "level mode" for a prolonged period (e.g., two minutes) without pilot intervention, Autoland will activate.

Once triggered, the system takes full control of the aircraft, communicates with air traffic control, selects the most suitable airport based on various factors (fuel, weather, runway length, terrain), and performs an autonomous landing to a full stop. The system can be deactivated at any time by the pilot if they regain control.
More information can be found on the Garmin Autonomí webpage.
=====

Based on what the automated messages on the radio were saying, likely this was an automatic activation.

Very interesting technology.

[yhz41]

How does it know the pilot is incapacitated? Is it like new car technology where it doesn't get any input in x amount of minutes? Pretty cool technology.

I asked google, it came back with this.
====
AI Overview
Garmin Autoland can be triggered in two primary ways:
manually by a pilot or passenger, or automatically by the aircraft's systems if they determine the pilot is unable to fly.
Manual Activation
A pilot or passenger can manually engage the system by pressing a dedicated activation button located in the cockpit. This button is typically guarded to prevent accidental activation and is often framed in red for easy identification in an emergency.
Automatic Activation
The system can activate automatically through several triggers designed to detect pilot incapacitation:

Lack of Pilot Interaction: If the pilot does not interact with the flight deck for a specified period (which can be configured by the manufacturer), the system will display an "Are you alert?" message. If the pilot fails to acknowledge this prompt by pressing any button, Autoland can engage automatically.
Hypoxia Recognition System: When the aircraft is flying at high altitudes (typically above 14,900 feet) with the autopilot engaged, the system monitors pilot interaction. If no interaction is detected, it initiates an automatic descent to a lower, safer altitude. If the pilot remains unresponsive, Autoland will activate.
Prolonged Engagement of Level Mode/Electronic Stability and Protection (ESP): If the aircraft's ESP system is engaged (which happens when the aircraft enters an unusual attitude, such as an aggressive bank or pitch) and the aircraft remains in a "level mode" for a prolonged period (e.g., two minutes) without pilot intervention, Autoland will activate.

Once triggered, the system takes full control of the aircraft, communicates with air traffic control, selects the most suitable airport based on various factors (fuel, weather, runway length, terrain), and performs an autonomous landing to a full stop. The system can be deactivated at any time by the pilot if they regain control.
More information can be found on the Garmin Autonomí webpage.
=====

Based on what the automated messages on the radio were saying, likely this was an automatic activation.

Very interesting technology.

Neat

[Eric Janson]

Have to wonder how 2 Pilots got themselves into this situation in the first place.

Hopefully a full report will be published.

[goldeneagle]

Have to wonder how 2 Pilots got themselves into this situation in the first place.

Hopefully a full report will be published.

I've read more on this. Apparently the plane was on a reposition after dropping folks off in Aspen, 2 pilots, no passengers. The company has reported that there was a rapid decompression climbing thru 23,000, pilots put on oxygen masks and the autoland engaged automatically.

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news ... activation

What I dont understand, if the pilots were indeed ok, why were they not at least talking on the radio ?

[cdnavater]

Have to wonder how 2 Pilots got themselves into this situation in the first place.

Hopefully a full report will be published.

I've read more on this. Apparently the plane was on a reposition after dropping folks off in Aspen, 2 pilots, no passengers. The company has reported that there was a rapid decompression climbing thru 23,000, pilots put on oxygen masks and the autoland engaged automatically.

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news ... activation

What I dont understand, if the pilots were indeed ok, why were they not at least talking on the radio ?

It literally says in the article you posted why,

“Buffalo River Aviation added more context to the Autoland activation in a statement from CEO Chris Townsley: “Due to the complexity of the specific situation, including instrument meteorological conditions, mountainous terrain, active icing conditions, unknown reasons for loss of pressure, and the binary (all-or-nothing) function of the Garmin emergency systems; the pilots, exercising conservative judgement under their emergency command authority (FAR 91.3), made the decision to leave the system engaged while monitoring its performance and attempting communications as able within the constraints of the system. While the system performed exactly as expected, the pilots were prepared to resume manual control of the aircraft should the system have malfunctioned in any way”

[digits_]

Have to wonder how 2 Pilots got themselves into this situation in the first place.

Hopefully a full report will be published.

I've read more on this. Apparently the plane was on a reposition after dropping folks off in Aspen, 2 pilots, no passengers. The company has reported that there was a rapid decompression climbing thru 23,000, pilots put on oxygen masks and the autoland engaged automatically.

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news ... activation

What I dont understand, if the pilots were indeed ok, why were they not at least talking on the radio ?

It literally says in the article you posted why,

“Buffalo River Aviation added more context to the Autoland activation in a statement from CEO Chris Townsley: “Due to the complexity of the specific situation, including instrument meteorological conditions, mountainous terrain, active icing conditions, unknown reasons for loss of pressure, and the binary (all-or-nothing) function of the Garmin emergency systems; the pilots, exercising conservative judgement under their emergency command authority (FAR 91.3), made the decision to leave the system engaged while monitoring its performance and attempting communications as able within the constraints of the system. While the system performed exactly as expected, the pilots were prepared to resume manual control of the aircraft should the system have malfunctioned in any way”

I don't think that explains anything. That sounds an awful lot like a company trying to cover their asses while (best case) they are trying to figure out what happened or (worst case) try to justify their pilots fooling around with the shiny new toy.

If one pilot was conscious, let alone both, the autoland should not be active below 12 000 ft IMO.