Piper Introduces New M600 SLS Variant, First General Aviation Model Worldwide With Autoland Functionality

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Piper Aircraft CEO and President Simon Caldecott says his company’s new M600 SLS variant featuring the HALO Safety System with digital Autoland technology included represents “one of the most significant advancements in general aviation history.” (Photo courtesy of Piper Aircraft.)

The latest variant of Piper Aircraft’s single-engine turboprop M600 business aircraft is the M600 SLS; Piper says “SLS” stands for “safety, luxury, and support.” Introduced in late October, the M600 SLS’ certification is imminent, and deliveries will begin this quarter via Piper’s global dealer network starting at $2.994 million, Piper says. The aircraft’s “safety” designation stems from its standard inclusion of the HALO Safety System, a set of technologies within the included Garmin G3000 avionics suite. More notable, Piper says, is that the M600 SLS will be the world’s first general aviation aircraft certified for the Garmin Autoland functionality within HALO.

All-Systems Control

HALO provides such safety-oriented technologies as Auto-throttle, Emergency Descent Mode, Enhanced Stability and Protection, Surface Watch, Safe Taxi, and Flight Stream connectivity. Autoland functionality, meanwhile, enables the safe landing of the M600 SLS at the nearest suitable airport if the pilot becomes incapacitated. Once engaged either automatically or by a passenger, the system immediately acquires situational awareness and takes control of all systems needed for landing.

Autoland automatically engages if autopilot remains in LVL mode for 2 minutes or if Emergency Descent Mode is activated at 14,000 feet, Piper says. Passenger and air traffic control communications are supported through all flight phases, including to acquire a new flight route and estimate a new landing time. “Halo continually monitors all aircraft system parameters and real-time external inputs as if the pilot were at the controls,” says Piper, adding, “it takes into account runway size and orientation, wind, time, fuel range, glide path, and considers weather conditions and terrain en route to the nearest suitable runway.”

Well Cared For

In addition to an exclusive five-year Ultimate Care Program covering scheduled maintenance and inspections, the M600 SLS includes an EXP interior package standard offering numerous color palette, material, stitching, and other choices. The plane offers a maximum 274-ktas cruise speed, a maximum range of 1,658 nautical miles, and 30,000-foot approved altitude. It uses a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A engine rated for 600 horsepower and a Hartzell five-blade propeller.

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Source: Piper Aircraft

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