Ralph mentioned to me the other week that they installed new Garmin avionics into a C-182 where he works part time. He mentioned they wired it to use a new Garmin function called SMART GLIDE. Without going into minurte detail it will basically fly the airplane to a near airport in case of an engine failure to allow the pilot to divert their attention to other matters while the autopilot does the flying.
My intent is not so much an engine out situation but having a tandem seat aircraft or even a side by side, my purpose it if for any reason the PIC becomes incapacitated it could be used by a non-flying passenger potentially to at least bring the aircraft to a suitable landing site (airport). Still not a great situation but offers a little assistance in the situation.
Approach Faststack places additional wires in the harness specifically for such purposes of utilizing additional inputs and outputs. Sean at AFS told me I can use Discrete IN 2, 3, or 4 for this purpose then it will be a matter of programming the unit in order to access the feature.
So I found Discrete IN 2 and routed it from the avionics section through the bundle that would allow me to get it to the GIB location. So now I will have an autopilot disconnect, which I put in earlier, and the SMART GLIDE also. I will have an EMERGENCY CHECKLIST that will be able to be followed by the GIB to access the functions if ever needed. Let's face it.....the statistics say that it will NEVER be used.....but it is an easy install for the benefit of having it available for the one in a million chances it is needed.
SMART GLIDE is also available from the PIC position through the Garmin display so no need for a button there.
