Provides Guidelines For Electrical System Malfunction

The FAA has published a supplement to the Cirrus SR22 operators manual that provides the necessary guidance for electrical load shedding in the event of the primary electrical generating source failure in accordance with § 135.163(f)(2). The supplemental document outlines emergency procedures in the event the pilot sees a steady Alt 1 light on the panel, indicating an alternator failure.

For aircraft serials with Avidyne PFD/MFD Avionics:

• Steady illumination indicates failure of alternator 1. Attempt to restore alternator. If alternator cannot be restored, it will be necessary to divert the flight to land within one hour.
• Loads on Main Buses, Non-essential Buses, and Air-conditioning Buses must be reduced and available equipment on these buses managed as necessary for flight conditions. Equipment essential for continued safe flight and landing will be powered by Alternator 2 and Battery 2 through the Essential Buses. However, depending upon flight conditions, additional equipment is required.

A step-by-step list of procedures follows those general instructions. For 14 CFR 135 Operations, FAA says the load shedding and equipment management in the published procedure will provide at least one-hour operating time on aircraft with a fully charged, 13.6 amp-hour battery (available from Cirrus Design Spare Parts Sales) in good condition for equipment required for emergency operation under 14 CFR 135.163(f), and meets the requirements of that paragraph. The document instructs the pilot to replan the flight for a landing as soon as practical (within one hour) at a landing field with visual minimums. It says landing speed should be increased 10 KIAS for flaps up and landing lights should not be used.

For aircraft serials with Perspective PFD/MFD Avionics:

• Steady illumination indicates failure of alternator 1. Attempt to restore alternator. If alternator cannot be restored, Alternator 2, and Bat 2 will provide sufficient electrical power to supply all requirements for emergency operation of equipment indefinitely as is required by 14 CFR 135.163(f).

And again, there are detailed instructions. FAA says when the Cirrus Design SR22 aircraft is being operated under the provisions 14 CFR 135, the Supplement is applicable and must be inserted in the Supplements section (Section 9) of the Cirrus Design SR22 Pilot's Operating Handbook (Handbook).

FAA says the information in the Supplement adds to, supersedes, or deletes information in the basic handbook.

This is in no way the complete list of instructions included in the 6 page supplement. ANN of course encourages SR22 pilots to familiarize themselves with the complete document as issued by the FAA, and keep it in your airplane if required.

FMI: http://www.faa.gov/