Cirrus SR Series G7+ unveiled with its Safe Return Emergency Autoland, becoming the first piston-powered aircraft with Garmin Autoland

Rhea-AI Summary

Garmin (GRMN) announced the certification of its Autoland system for the new Cirrus SR Series G7+, marking the first implementation of this autonomous emergency landing system in piston-powered aircraft. The Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland system comes standard on all new SR20, SR22, and SR22T aircraft, capable of controlling and landing the aircraft autonomously during emergencies like pilot incapacitation.

The G7+ also features the GDL® 60 datalink system for automatic database updates and enhanced cockpit connectivity, along with Runway Occupancy Awareness (ROA) technology. Since Autoland's 2019 introduction, over 1,000 aircraft have been equipped with this system, including 450 Cirrus Vision Jets with Safe Return.

Positive

• First-ever implementation of Autoland system in piston-powered aircraft, expanding Garmin's market reach
• Standard inclusion of advanced safety features (Safe Return, ROA, GDL 60) enhances product value
• Strong market adoption with over 1,000 aircraft already equipped with Autoland system
• Builds on successful implementation in 450 Cirrus Vision Jets, demonstrating proven technology

Negative

• None.

Insights

Aviation Technology Expert

Garmin expands its award-winning Autoland system to Cirrus's piston aircraft fleet, significantly broadening its market reach in general aviation.

The certification of Garmin's Autoland system for Cirrus's SR Series G7+ marks a significant technological expansion into the piston-powered aircraft segment. This represents the first implementation of this autonomous emergency landing technology beyond turbine aircraft, opening up a substantially larger addressable market for Garmin.

Piston-powered aircraft constitute the largest portion of the general aviation fleet, making this certification strategically valuable. With over 1,000 aircraft already equipped with Autoland since its 2019 introduction and 450+ Cirrus Vision Jets featuring Safe Return, this expansion to Cirrus's piston lineup demonstrates continued market adoption of Garmin's premium safety technology.

The standard inclusion of Safe Return across all new SR20, SR22, and SR22T aircraft is particularly notable, as it establishes this previously turbine-only technology as a baseline feature in piston aircraft. The bundling with Runway Occupancy Awareness and the GDL 60 datalink system creates an integrated safety and connectivity ecosystem that strengthens Garmin's competitive position against other avionics manufacturers.

The Collier Trophy-winning Autoland technology addresses the critical safety concern of pilot incapacitation in general aviation, providing Garmin with a distinctive market differentiator. By expanding into the piston segment while maintaining leadership in turbine applications, Garmin continues to execute on its strategy of developing specialized, high-value aviation technologies rather than competing solely in commoditized GPS markets.

OLATHE, Kan., May 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) today announced its award-winning Autoland system has been certified for the newest SR Series model, the SR Series G7+. The Cirrus Safe Return^™ Emergency Autoland system in all new SR20, SR22 and SR22T aircraft marks the first piston-powered aircraft equipped with Garmin's autonomous emergency landing system. In the event of an emergency, such as a pilot incapacitation, Safe Return will control and land the aircraft without human intervention. All SR Series G7+ aircraft now come standard with Safe Return as well as Runway Occupancy Awareness (ROA) and the GDL^® 60 datalink system, enabling automatic database updates and advanced cockpit connectivity.

"I congratulate Cirrus on their forward thinking, execution and announcement of the SR Series G7+. Garmin's ambitious goal from the onset of Autoland is to provide this safety-enhancing technology to as many aircraft owners as possible, and Cirrus' announcement yesterday is a huge step in that direction. The SR Series G7+ now joins the ranks of turbine-powered aircraft such as Piper's M600 SLS and M700 Fury, Daher's TBM 940 and 960, Cirrus' own SF50 G2 and G2+ Vision Jets, as well as Garmin's King Air 200 G1000 NXi retrofit solution. The SR Series G7+ will bring the peace of mind that comes with Safe Return to many more pilots, aircraft owners and their families." 
–Carl Wolf, Garmin Vice President of Aviation Sales, Marketing, Programs & Support

Garmin Autoland was first announced in 2019 and since then, well over 1,000 aircraft have already been fielded with the industry's only certified emergency Autoland solution. As one of the first companies to add Garmin Autoland to their aircraft, Cirrus has now fielded more than 450 Cirrus Vision Jets with Safe Return.

Complementing the revolutionary Safe Return system, the SR Series G7+ includes the Garmin GDL 60 datalink, enabling automatic database updates and advanced cockpit connectivity and convenience. Additionally, the new G7+ will feature Garmin's ROA technology that can predict and alert pilots of potential runway incursions.

To learn more about Garmin Autoland, visit Garmin.com/Autonomi.

Garmin products and services have revolutionized flight and become essential to the lives of pilots and aircraft owners and operators around the world. A leading provider of solutions to general aviation, business aviation, rotorcraft, advanced air mobility, government and defense, and commercial air carrier customers, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate. Recipient of the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy for Garmin Autoland, Garmin developed the world's first certified autonomous system that activates during an emergency to control and land an aircraft without human intervention. Visit the Garmin Newsroom, email our media team, connect with @garminaviation on social, or follow our blog.

About Garmin International, Inc. Garmin International, Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (NYSE: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin and GDL are registered trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.

All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management's current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors that are described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2024 and the Quarterly Report on Form 10- Q for the quarter ended March 29, 2025 filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 001-41118). A copy of Garmin's 2024 Form 10-K and the Q1 2025 Form 10-Q can be downloaded from https://www.garmin.com/en-US/investors/sec/. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Media Contact:
Mikayla Minnick
913-397-8200
media.relations@garmin.com 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cirrus-sr-series-g7-unveiled-with-its-safe-return-emergency-autoland-becoming-the-first-piston-powered-aircraft-with-garmin-autoland-302447840.html

SOURCE Garmin International, Inc.

FAQ

What is the Garmin Autoland system in the new Cirrus SR Series G7+?

The Garmin Autoland system, branded as Safe Return, is an autonomous emergency landing system that can control and land the aircraft without human intervention during emergencies like pilot incapacitation. It's now standard on all new SR20, SR22, and SR22T aircraft.

How many aircraft have been equipped with Garmin's Autoland system since its 2019 launch?

Over 1,000 aircraft have been equipped with Garmin's Autoland system since its 2019 launch, including 450 Cirrus Vision Jets with Safe Return.

What additional features come standard with the Cirrus SR Series G7+?

The SR Series G7+ comes standard with Safe Return Emergency Autoland, Runway Occupancy Awareness (ROA), and the GDL 60 datalink system for automatic database updates and advanced cockpit connectivity.

Which aircraft types previously featured Garmin's Autoland system before the SR Series G7+?

Before the SR Series G7+, Garmin's Autoland system was available on turbine-powered aircraft including Piper's M600 SLS and M700 Fury, Daher's TBM 940 and 960, Cirrus Vision Jets (SF50 G2 and G2+), and Garmin's King Air 200 G1000 NXi retrofit solution.