Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 52.1; Flight Crew Total 726; Flight Crew Type 7.5
Troubleshooting; Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness; Human-Machine Interface; Distraction; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency
Human Factors; Aircraft
While on a CFI training flight with my Instructor; I noticed that the display on the radios was pulsing; (bright; dim; bright; dim). The amp meter was not showing a discharge. We started the loss of electrical power checklist; which didn't help or correct the problem; so we decided to land at ZZZ1 airport and call the Mechanic. As we were approaching the airport; we tried to lower the gear; but it didn't extend; so we departed the airport pattern to troubleshoot and decided to go back to our departure airport. On the way back we went through the emergency gear extension checklist but were unable to get a green light indicating the gear was down. As is the flight school policy; the Instructor would do the landing. At 10 miles from the airport; we called the Tower on a handheld radio; declared an emergency and requested that the Tower visually check that our gear was down. On downwind for the runway; the Tower said that the gear appeared down. We landed with no problems and taxied to the ramp. This was a great learning experience. We used CRM to divide the tasks (checklists; pumping the gear; talking on the handheld radio; etc.); and we both remained calm and professional.
A pilot under going CFI training in a C172RG with his instructor; noticed signs of an electrical system failure and so together they split tasks to successfully extend the gear; complete the checklists and land.