Pilots *Would you consider an alternator failure an emergency for a small aircraft in-flight?

Question

Pilots *Would you consider an alternator failure an emergency for a small aircraft in-flight?

Answer 1

Had one.  Didn't declare an emergency.  Just shut down unnecessary electrics and landed.  I could even still talk on the radio, but it was starting to distort.

Now, if you were IMC and had an alternator failure in a single engined aircraft (one with only one alternator), this would be a different story.  This is why it is foolish to fly IFR in a single engined plane with one vacuum pump and one alternator.

Answer 2

Not unil you land at an unfamiliar airport and get a guy like me to change it for you....get your wallet ready!!!!!

Answer 3

The only alternator "failure" I have had was when my direct drive generator at the back of my engine on my old plane blew its seal in mid flight and started spraying oil. That was the bad part. The good part was the fact that I was only about 5 miles from the airport and after slowing the engine to almost idle, I was able to glide in and taxi off the runway without incident. I did not declare an emergency as at that point as I was on the CTAF (uncontrolled airport) and not on with ATC and I figured I had the airport made anyway. If there would have been anyone else in the pattern I would have insisted on landing first but that's about it. And as Dave has stated, boy did I have to get my wallet out. I figured it was time to switch to an alternator from a generator. After examining the whole mess, the plane lost less than a quart of oil.

As others have said, shut down everything you can get by without and land at the nearest airport. And, investing in a handheld radio for just such an occasion ain't a bad idea either.

Answer 4

I fly with my dad in a piper archer. i went with him on 90% of his lessons. He had a GREAT instructor. This guy had a CFI, a CFII, an ATP, and a gold seal. The instructor never made a big deal out of that... so no, its not.

Answer 5

No, as it is certainly not threatening the safety of the aircraft or occupants.  Just shut down unnecessary electrics, and head for the nearest airport using the battery to power critical avionics and a radio.  There's an easy hour of juice if you keep the electrical drain down.

I'm assuming the "small aircraft" has a piston engine, so you've got either a mechanical fuel pump and/or gravity feed from the wings, and your spark plugs are fed from magnetos. So your engine is not going to fail.

If you are IFR or at night, then the pucker factor is a bit higher, but it shouldn't constitute an emergency unless there is some other factor you are not disclosing.

Answer 6

Nop. Switch on your cellphone and make a call to the appropriate ATC unit and tell them what's wrong, what your intentions are (which would probably be which airfield you're going to and what time you expect to be there). Switch off the battery until you're approaching the airfield so you still have electrical power to do what you need to do for the approach and landing. If you have any problems on the way just use your phone again.

Answer 7

I wouldn't be afraid of using the "E word" any time the conditions are out of the ordinary and you need special assistance to increase your likelihood of a safe and uneventful outcome.  So what does that mean for an alternator failure?

Most flying in small airplanes is done in visual conditions.  Losing an alternator would just mean turning off any unnecessary equipment and preserving the battery for the traffic pattern.  If the battery dies, no big deal.  Just keep a close eye out for other traffic and land at a non-towered airport.

Assuming a single engine plane with a single alternator in instrument conditions, that's a different situation.  I would consider it an emergency and declare it as such.  I would either want to get to an airport with visual conditions or complete an instrument approach ASAP.  Keep in mind that when the battery dies, so does all navigation and communication capabilities.  Ideally, I would divert to an airport with visual conditions, but if that's not an option (although it normally is), I would declare an emergency and do what it takes to land while I still have usable battery power.

Answer 8

After you've landed and there ws no other incident it was not an emergency.  But in flight it is of concern as you don;t know the nature of the failure.  It could have other ramifications, like spraying oil or mechanical seizure that can cause overheating.  It could also be an indicator of other problems like a short in an electrical bus.

While I would not declare an 'Emergency', depending on the circumstances, I night notify ATC, just to give them a heads-up, that I'm experiencing an abnormal indication that could deteriorate.  Like all aspects of flight, forward planing is your best defense if an emergency develops.

I'm surprised at Future Fighter Pilots response.  For one, it sounds like it was often experienced.  That's scary.  

Also, I thought FAA Title 14 (CFR) section 61.87 and 61.89, stipulate a Student Pilot is limited to flying with the CFI or solo.  I'm surprised his father's time counted as PIC, if there was a passenger on board.  I guess times change.