← All explained questions · Supplemental · IX — Emergency Operations

A complete electrical failure (alternator AND battery exhausted) during VFR day flight means you lose

Choices

all instruments.
Mechanical instruments still work.
✓ all electrical instruments and equipment.correct
pitot heat, electric flaps, electric trim, radios, transponder, position lights, electric gyros (if so equipped). Pitot-static instruments and vacuum-driven gyros (older airplanes) keep working since they're mechanical. Total electrical failure: lose anything wired to the bus — radios (no comm), transponder (no traffic targeting), nav radios, electric flaps/trim, lights, electric gyros. KEEP: airspeed indicator, altimeter, VSI, compass, vacuum-driven AI/HSI (if your airplane is older), engine (it has its own self-generating magneto-driven ignition system). Land at nearest suitable airport.
the engine.
Engine has its own ignition source.
fuel flow.
Fuel flow is mechanical via pumps; electric pumps fail but engine-driven ones don't.

Why

pitot heat, electric flaps, electric trim, radios, transponder, position lights, electric gyros (if so equipped). Pitot-static instruments and vacuum-driven gyros (older airplanes) keep working since they're mechanical. Total electrical failure: lose anything wired to the bus — radios (no comm), transponder (no traffic targeting), nav radios, electric flaps/trim, lights, electric gyros. KEEP: airspeed indicator, altimeter, VSI, compass, vacuum-driven AI/HSI (if your airplane is older), engine (it has its own self-generating magneto-driven ignition system). Land at nearest suitable airport.

FAA source: PHAK Ch 7; PHAK Chapter 7 — Aircraft Systemsbrowse the reference library →

Covered in Supplemental · IX — Emergency Operations — study the lessons free, then practice with grading and mastery tracking.

Original study question written for this course — representative of FAA knowledge-test topics, not an actual current FAA exam question.