After running through the checklists and reducing the electrical load by switching off all non-essential equipment, I tuned in the control tower frequency for the class D airport.
However, I knew with every click of the radio I would be draining the battery of precious power and more than likely have no battery left by the time I got near the airport. My home airport was about a 25 minute flight away and located in Class D airspace, meaning in a normal situation I would need to establish two-way radio communication prior to entering into the airspace and further clearance to land from the control tower. The failure in itself did not present any sort of emergency situation but I knew I would soon lose all electrical power, including my radios and would be unable to communicate with air traffic control (ATC). Lucky for me at the time I was operating on a VFR flight plan in uncontrolled airspace on a beautiful sunny day. By the time I did notice, my alternator had already completely failed and I was working with about 20 minutes of remaining battery. I was so wrapped up in making sure my passengers were having a good time that I failed to immediately notice the illuminated low voltage light. A while back I was on a local area pleasure flight with a couple of friends showing off the sights in the club’s Piper Cherokee.
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