M600 SLS From Piper Aircraft Piper Aircraft has been quiet in recent times but they are back in the news because of a revamp of the top-of-the-line M600. The new next-gen variant is called the M600 SLS. What's different about the SLS versus the standard M600 we have been accustomed to? Firstly, the SLS stands for Safety Luxury and Support which gives an idea the direction we are going in with this aircraft. The M600 SLS has something called the HALO System which is keep in this new very automated aircraft. HALO will essentially be the new certification for Garmin's Auto-land technology.
The HALO system is made up of several integral technologies. Autoland, the autothrottle (required for Autoland, Enhanced Stability and Protection, Emergency Descent Mode by Garmin, Surface Watch, Safe Taxi, and Flight Stream wireless gateway. In a scenario that the pilot became unresponsive in the cockpit, the HALO system can be activated by pressing a single button or it will automatically engage if it thinks the pilot is incapacitated. It basically would do everything a pilot would do in trying to land the aircraft, find the nearest airport, fly to it on a suitable approach, set control surfaces like flaps, lower the gear and land, stop and automatically shut down the aircraft. The interior is also getting a revamp with new cabin options for leather work and stitching patterns etc. Certification should be quick in coming and deliveries of the next-gen M600 SLS should commence before the year ends. For more information: Piper 2926 Piper Drive Vero Beach, FL 32960 www.piper.com ***
