ROBERT N. ROSSIER
BETTER PILOT / STICK & RUDDER
Worst Case Scenario
Electrical system failures
AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF all pilot training is learning how to deal
with abnormal and emergency situations. Engine failures, engine
fires, landing gear failures, vacuum system failures, and other
failures can sometimes develop into worst case scenarios. In this
article, we’ll take a look at the electrical system, and how to deal
with problems that can arise during a flight.
NORMAL OPERATIONS
When it comes to the aircraft’s electrical system, know the normal
system indications. Unless we know what’s normal, it’s impossible to
know when a situation is amiss.
The two primary electrical system instruments are ammeters
and voltmeters. Ammeters monitor the current or amount of
electrical energy flow, measured in amperes. Voltmeters indicate
the electrical potential available from the system. Think of current
as “flow” of electricity and voltage as the “pressure” that causes
the flow. Each type of instrumentation can provide crucial
information, and monitoring the electrical system instrumentation
can help us identify problems before a
complete failure occurs.
