Epic E1000 AX Achieves FAA Certification for Garmin Emergency Autoland
In a significant advancement for general aviation safety, Epic Aircraft has declared that the FAA has officially certified the Garmin Emergency Autoland for its premier E1000 AX single-engine turboprop. The certification, announced on September 30, 2026, signifies that the potentially life-saving system is now approved for installation on the aircraft.
The E1000 AX’s implementation stands out due to its unique cabin design. The aircraft features multiple Autoland activation buttons placed throughout the cabin, making the system accessible by passengers — not just the pilot. “Only the E1000 AX offers multiple Autoland button locations throughout the cabin,” stated Doug King, CEO of Epic Aircraft.
Once activated — either by a passenger or automatically if the system detects pilot incapacitation — Autoland evaluates nearby airports based on runway length, distance, terrain, weather, and remaining fuel. It then selects the most suitable option, navigates to it, communicates with air traffic control, completes the landing, brings the aircraft to a full stop, and shuts down the engine — all without any pilot input. The system is fully integrated with the aircraft’s Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite and works in conjunction with Garmin Autothrottle, which manages engine power and provides overspeed and underspeed protection.
The E1000 AX, which boasts a cruise speed of 317 KTAS and a maximum range of 1,560 nm, made its debut in April 2025 and received its FAA type certification in July 2025. This latest Autoland approval marks the completion of the aircraft’s full safety automation package.
Source: General Aviation News – FAA Certifies Garmin Autoland on Epic E1000 AX