Acadia
Well-Known Member
So engine failures are pretty rare. Vacuum pump or gyro failures happen from time to time, but most aircraft that I fly IFR have both a secondary vacuum pump and attitude indicator (and you can always go partial panel in a worst case situation). Random in flight fires are a possibility, but also seem pretty rare for well-maintained aircraft. All in all these risks don’t worry me all that much before each flight provided the aircraft is in acceptable condition.
Now here is the thing. I have had two complete electrical failures in near new aircraft. I have had a few other dead alternator problems in flight with older aircraft that required me to land ASAP to avoid total power failure. A number of pilots I know have had total electrical failures as well. As I understand it is one of the more common system failures in GA aircraft. No big deal in VFR conditions, but in low IMC conditions you might as well break out the coffin and climb in. Total loss of all navigation equipment (aside from the compass) with low ceilings = SOL. I suppose that the alternator and battery create some kind of redundancy, but an alternator failure could easily leave you with no choice but to descend through the IMC and hope you pop out before you hit something.
I actually know two pilots (flying together) who had this exact thing happen to them shortly after departure in low IFR conditions. After breaking out on top and troubleshooting they took the only option they had which was to turn towards the ocean and let down once they were confident they were off shore. They found water less that 500' agl and skimmed the bay back to the airport.
Two realistic backups come to mind flying a GA aircraft in low IFR conditions.
A: A handheld radio with plenty of batteries and hopes for a radar approach or at least vectors to a runway.
B: A good handheld GPS that would allow you to descend down to a known clear area (ocean, lake, river, etc) if ATC could not be reached via a handheld.
Any other options I am missing.
Now here is the thing. I have had two complete electrical failures in near new aircraft. I have had a few other dead alternator problems in flight with older aircraft that required me to land ASAP to avoid total power failure. A number of pilots I know have had total electrical failures as well. As I understand it is one of the more common system failures in GA aircraft. No big deal in VFR conditions, but in low IMC conditions you might as well break out the coffin and climb in. Total loss of all navigation equipment (aside from the compass) with low ceilings = SOL. I suppose that the alternator and battery create some kind of redundancy, but an alternator failure could easily leave you with no choice but to descend through the IMC and hope you pop out before you hit something.
I actually know two pilots (flying together) who had this exact thing happen to them shortly after departure in low IFR conditions. After breaking out on top and troubleshooting they took the only option they had which was to turn towards the ocean and let down once they were confident they were off shore. They found water less that 500' agl and skimmed the bay back to the airport.
Two realistic backups come to mind flying a GA aircraft in low IFR conditions.
A: A handheld radio with plenty of batteries and hopes for a radar approach or at least vectors to a runway.
B: A good handheld GPS that would allow you to descend down to a known clear area (ocean, lake, river, etc) if ATC could not be reached via a handheld.
Any other options I am missing.
