Landing Itself: How Emergency Autoland Is Changing Single-Pilot Flying

Garmin Autoland is emerging as a key enabler for single-pilot or crew-light operations by providing an automatic path to land during severe in-flight emergencies. The article links the concept to the 1999 Learjet 35 crash operated by Sunjet Aviation, near Aberdeen, South Dakota, on Oct. 25, shortly after 12:00 p.m. CDT. All six aboard died after investigators determined the pilots became incapacitated and failed to receive supplemental oxygen following a cabin pressurization loss, for reasons still undetermined. It describes how Autoland—developed to take full control and land even if the pilot is incapacitated—can be activated by pilots or passengers via a single button.