Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 25; Flight Crew Total 80; Flight Crew Type 80
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft
While doing a flight over downtown City X; a large static noise came out of my headset and the GPS/Radios started flickering. I then looked at my alternator charge to see it at around 10 volts; well below the 14 volts needed to charge the battery. I decided to make a landing at ZZZ airport. While on short final; I told the Tower Controller that I just suffered an alternator failure and needed to land asap. He then asked if I was declaring an emergency which I replied 'No.' I landed without further incident.
C172 pilot reported an alternator failure during flight resulting in an expedited landing.