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Thanks for the calls to Garmin. I went by every autopilot booth at Oshkosh this last '24 summer. Tried to not say anything here for fear of perpetuating rumors. But I'll speak up anyway.
Nil results across the board except:
1) STEC would take a deposit for the 55x at the show and energetically said it still was in production. They feel there is 5 more years of life left in the product and weren't planning on cancellation anytime soon. 3100, no go.
2) Garmin acknowledged interest in 337 airframe. Used the phrase "it's in the sandbox" (whatever that means). However they were more focused on airframes that could generate higher revenue/higher numbers. In particular, at the time, alot of focus on beefing up the citation fleet. On a positive note however, it is their plan to eventually get the GFC certified across all GA models and are committed to "full" GA buildout eventually.
Trio was a little intrigued in 337 airframe due to inline thrust. Also, a lean towards "orphan airframes" (Gruman AA-5, Cessna 190). They volunteered that some of what is going on is that FAA was more liberal about mathematical modeling and reporting from manufacturers as well as grouping similar airframes together to expedite the "new equipment to market" process....until the whole Boeing debacle. Now they have pumped the brakes.
So, fork in the road. Grab 55x now. Or hope for GFC and that nothing de-rails approval for 337. I'm still undecided....er, hopeful.
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