- News
- Dec 23, 2025
- 7 min read
Garmin Autoland Enters Service for the First Time
A pressurization problem triggered an emergency descent and the first operational activation of Garmin Autoland.
On Saturday, Beechcraft King Air B200 N479BR landed at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (KBJC) in Colorado after the Garmin Autoland system was activated. This was the first activation of the Autoland system on an aircraft in service, although neither of the two pilots on board was injured.
The King Air, operated by Buffalo River Aviation, was conducting a Part 91 repositioning flight from Aspen, Colorado, with two pilots on board. According to Buffalo River Aviation, a rapid, uncontrolled loss of pressurization occurred during the climb at 23,000 feet above sea level. In accordance with standard procedures, the two pilots immediately donned oxygen masks. The aircraft, equipped with Garmin Aviation’s latest Emergency Descent Mode (EDM) and Autoland systems, engaged automatically exactly as intended when the cabin altitude exceeded the prescribed safe level. The system selected a suitable airport in accordance with Garmin’s criteria—KBJC, Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport—plotted a route to it and automatically maintained communications throughout the flight.
The Autoland system can be activated at the press of a button by a pilot or passenger, or it engages automatically if the pilot does not interact with the aircraft for a certain period of time or in the event of a loss of pressurization. When activated, the system automatically transmits messages on the 121.5 emergency frequency and the local control tower or CTAF frequency, depending on the airport. As the aircraft approaches the selected airport, the Autoland system lowers the flaps and landing gear and, after landing, brakes to a complete stop before shutting down the engines.
According to corporate pilot Ryan Barstad, who had just departed KBJC to the southwest, he and his co-pilot heard the Autoland system’s automated messages on 121.5 MHz.
“After we heard the messages a couple of times, a pilot came on who sounded as though he had quickly put on an oxygen mask and stated that there had been a loss of cabin pressurization,” Barstad said. “He made only a couple of calls, after which we heard nothing more from him.”
In a LiveATC recording from the KBJC tower frequency, the Autoland controller voice says: “Nine Bravo Romeo, pilot incapacitated, two miles south of Kilo Bravo Juliet Charlie, emergency Autoland in 19 minutes on Runway 30 straight in at Kilo Bravo Juliet Charlie.” The controller is then heard telling a pilot: “We have a King Air with no radio communications that also has an emergency, so I’m going to have to stop your landing completely.”
After another message from the Autoland system, the controller said: “The aircraft is currently on approach, the computer estimates a landing time of several minutes, the Autoland system is active, and the aircraft is expected to stop on the runway.” The Autoland system’s messages continued. According to FlightAware data, the King Air made a wide circuit southeast of KBJC before lining up with Runway 30R. After another automated transmission, the tower controller contacted the King Air and said: “King Air, tower, if you can hear me, any runway, cleared to land, wind 350 degrees at 6, altimeter 30.00.” With two miles remaining before landing, the controller told a pilot that the airport was closed and that they would have to wait to land. “We’re not sure when it will reopen,” he said.
Aircraft N479BR is registered to Gunner Aviation of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and operated by Buffalo River Aviation. The Autoland system, including Garmin G1000 NXi avionics, was installed by Blackhawk Performance Center in Columbia, Missouri, earlier this year, becoming the first installation of the Autoland system on a King Air B200 following receipt of a supplemental type certificate. “Everyone at Blackhawk Group is incredibly grateful that all those involved emerged safe and unharmed following the execution of this historic maneuver,” the company said. “The safe landing at KBJC confirms that this level of autonomy for the King Air 200 is no longer theoretical; it is operational and proven.”
On Saturday, Beechcraft King Air B200 N479BR landed at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (KBJC) in Colorado after the Garmin Autoland system was activated. This was the first activation of the Autoland system on an aircraft in service, although neither of the two pilots on board was injured.
The King Air, operated by Buffalo River Aviation, was conducting a Part 91 repositioning flight from Aspen, Colorado, with two pilots on board. According to Buffalo River Aviation, a rapid, uncontrolled loss of pressurization occurred during the climb at 23,000 feet above sea level. In accordance with standard procedures, the two pilots immediately donned oxygen masks. The aircraft, equipped with Garmin Aviation’s latest Emergency Descent Mode (EDM) and Autoland systems, engaged automatically exactly as intended when the cabin altitude exceeded the prescribed safe level. The system selected a suitable airport in accordance with Garmin’s criteria—KBJC, Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport—plotted a route to it and automatically maintained communications throughout the flight.
The Autoland system can be activated at the press of a button by a pilot or passenger, or it engages automatically if the pilot does not interact with the aircraft for a certain period of time or in the event of a loss of pressurization. When activated, the system automatically transmits messages on the 121.5 emergency frequency and the local control tower or CTAF frequency, depending on the airport. As the aircraft approaches the selected airport, the Autoland system lowers the flaps and landing gear and, after landing, brakes to a complete stop before shutting down the engines.
Sponsored by Jet24 global
According to corporate pilot Ryan Barstad, who had just departed KBJC to the southwest, he and his co-pilot heard the Autoland system’s automated messages on 121.5 MHz.
“After we heard the messages a couple of times, a pilot came on who sounded as though he had quickly put on an oxygen mask and stated that there had been a loss of cabin pressurization,” Barstad said. “He made only a couple of calls, after which we heard nothing more from him.”
In a LiveATC recording from the KBJC tower frequency, the Autoland controller voice says: “Nine Bravo Romeo, pilot incapacitated, two miles south of Kilo Bravo Juliet Charlie, emergency Autoland in 19 minutes on Runway 30 straight in at Kilo Bravo Juliet Charlie.” The controller is then heard telling a pilot: “We have a King Air with no radio communications that also has an emergency, so I’m going to have to stop your landing completely.”
After another message from the Autoland system, the controller said: “The aircraft is currently on approach, the computer estimates a landing time of several minutes, the Autoland system is active, and the aircraft is expected to stop on the runway.” The Autoland system’s messages continued. According to FlightAware data, the King Air made a wide circuit southeast of KBJC before lining up with Runway 30R. After another automated transmission, the tower controller contacted the King Air and said: “King Air, tower, if you can hear me, any runway, cleared to land, wind 350 degrees at 6, altimeter 30.00.” With two miles remaining before landing, the controller told a pilot that the airport was closed and that they would have to wait to land. “We’re not sure when it will reopen,” he said.
Aircraft N479BR is registered to Gunner Aviation of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and operated by Buffalo River Aviation. The Autoland system, including Garmin G1000 NXi avionics, was installed by Blackhawk Performance Center in Columbia, Missouri, earlier this year, becoming the first installation of the Autoland system on a King Air B200 following receipt of a supplemental type certificate. “Everyone at Blackhawk Group is incredibly grateful that all those involved emerged safe and unharmed following the execution of this historic maneuver,” the company said. “The safe landing at KBJC confirms that this level of autonomy for the King Air 200 is no longer theoretical; it is operational and proven.”
Popular tags:
