No Electricity, No Radios, Two IFR Pilots, No Problem!

Monday, June 9, 2014

Tamra and I took off from quaint Shade Tree Airport near Gulfport, MS.  I made my first real soft field take off, and if I do say so, it was beautiful.  We expected a normal three hour flight to Conroe, TX.  After about an hour, the auto pilot failed, then the Garmin 430 failed, followed by radio #1and #2.  Applying our IFR training, we reported our radio failure to Baton Rouge Approach.  We fortunately could hear them but they could not understand us. The approach controller asked us several questions to which we responded by squawking "ident."  We changed our squawk code to 7600 and shortly thereafter the transponder failed.  Only two more hours to Lonestar Airport.  

I heard my instructor's voice in my head, "Fly the airplane."  We knew that we were in the IFR system and they would expect us to fly our filed route.  The engine was running well, all other instruments were working, and we had enough fuel so we pressed on.  After two hours of silence in the cockpit, we approached Lonestar Airport in Conroe, TX.  My friends, Rich and Pat Jankowski and Rich's sister, Teresa,  met us.  Rich is an experienced pilot and A&P.  He analyzed the problem as an alternator failure.  The alternator drives the electrical instruments and gauges (radios, lights, etc.).  

Every flight is a learning experience and today was no different.  We learned more today about airplane systems and about how important it is to have a great team partner.  Tamra and I make a great team!!!

We handled the situation calmly, followed our training and arrived safely at Lonestar for a delicious lunch at the Black Walnut Cafe.  N37TJ is now in maintenance and tomorrow we will hear from the mechanic.

We can highly recommend the personnel at Lonestar (KCXO).  Thanks to Rich for his guidance, too.