FLYING contributer Les Abend says he's always enthusiastic about an airplane sojourn but knows that using our Piper Arrow as a station wagon with wings can be an organizational packing challenge for my wife. [Courtesy: Les Abend]
Key Takeaways:
The pilot experienced two distinct in-flight alternator failures during a month-long cross-country flight, each necessitating an emergency declaration and diversion to an alternate airport.
The first failure was temporarily resolved by addressing a tripped circuit breaker and broken terminal connector, but the alternator eventually failed again due to faulty bearings, requiring a full replacement.
The incidents underscore the importance of pilot preparedness, quick decision-making, effective communication with ATC, and the value of a capable co-pilot and ground support for in-flight emergencies.
So, there I was… (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.) A very small annunciation in the upper left-hand corner of the Aspen PFD caught my eye. The percentage of internal battery power remaining was being displayed and the value was slowly decreasing.
Whaaat? Why? What’s wrong with the Aspen?
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Les Abend is a retired, 34-year veteran of American Airlines, attempting to readjust his passion for flying airplanes in the lower flight levels—without the assistance of a copilot.
