Robinson Helicopter Company has received FAA approval to fit the Garmin GFC 600H Helicopter Flight Control System as standard on all future R66 helicopters. The system introduces digital flight control for enhanced safety and workload reduction.

It integrates with Garmin flight displays and navigators and includes smart servos, redundant sensors and cyclic-mounted controls. Features include altitude capture, vertical speed and airspeed hold, heading select, navigation and approach modes. Hover assist, airspeed stabilisation and heading hold are also included.

An optional yaw axis adds pedal automation during power changes and improves ride quality at low speeds.

President and CEO David Smith says: “Receiving FAA certification of the Garmin GFC 600H reflects our commitment to providing our operators with the most advanced and reliable safety technology available. We’ve listened to our customers, and by choosing Garmin and making the system standard equipment on the R66, we are delivering a helicopter that sets the benchmark in safety and reliability for the light helicopter industry.”

A two-axis GFC 600H will be standard on all R66 NxG aircraft. Orders placed with serial number 1510 or later may be amended to include the system.