Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, is making the Garmin GFC700 Automatic Flight Control (AFCS) and Flight Director (FD) system standard equipment on most Skyhawk models beginning in January 2008.

"We now offer the same fully-integrated, all-Garmin system from the Skyhawk through the Citation Mustang," said John Doman, Cessna vice president of worldwide propeller aircraft sales. "Having the consistency in avionics eases the transition for our pilot owners."

The autopilot function selector will be conveniently located on the Garmin G1000 flight display with the GFC700 capable of using all of the data available within the G1000 avionics system. Among the new navigational features that will increase functionality and safety and reduce pilot workload are:

• All-digital, dual-channel, two-axis flight control – this system features an attitude-based (versus rate-based) autopilot.

• Flight Director – this offers pitch and roll guidance to show the pilot the attitude for a standard climb or turn.

• Flight Level Change – this ensures the aircraft maintains airspeed while climbing or descending to a pre-selected altitude.

• Go-Around Mode – this engages the Flight Director in a wings-level, seven-degree pitch-up attitude to help the pilot safely navigate an aborted landing.

• Pitch Hold – this mode, in conjunction with the Flight Director, maintains a constant pitch attitude.

Additionally, Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) with Lateral Performance, Vertical Guidance approach (LPV) and Vertical Navigation (VNAV) capabilities; Garmin SafeTaxiTM; and Garmin FliteCharts became standard for the Skyhawk, Skylane and Stationair starting with 2007 models. The Garmin ChartView powered by Jeppesen is optional.

The company announced the 2008 updates to the Skyhawk today at the annual Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Expo, running Oct. 4-6 in Hartford, Conn. At the static display at Hartford-Brainard Airport, Cessna features the Skyhawk TD (Turbo Diesel), Skylane, Stationair, Grand Caravan, Citation Mustang and Citation CJ2+. In the exhibit hall, Cessna showcases a mock-up of the SkyCatcher.