When Garmin Aviation unveiled Autonomi-its suite of integrated avionics and aircraft systems that produce an autoland function for light aircraft-in October 2019, it revealed the first glimpse into a nearly decadeslong collaborative effort. While avionics manufacturers inevitably work with airframe OEMs in producing a final, panel-ready product, none has been so intrinsic to an airplane's DNA, touching so many parts of the airplane, as Autonomi needed to be. In order to control all of the functions required to put an airplane on a course to the nearest suitable airport, descend through weather if needed, avoid terrain, and land on a reasonable runway, several aircraft systems had to work in concert with a sophisticated avionics suite and air traffic control. And a pilot regaining control of the aircraft in question needed to be able to interrupt the sequence once set in motion.
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