Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 26; Flight Crew Total 303; Flight Crew Type 19
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Aircraft
I intended to rent C172RG Aircraft X from a Company to practice landings today at ZZZ. The flight went according to plan until retracting the landing gear on climbout from RWY (Runway) XX. As the landing gear retracted; the aircraft's electrical system failed and I lost my radios and transponder. I flew the traffic pattern as I normally would until abeam the end of RWY XX; where I attempted to extend the aircraft's landing gear. The gear did not extend; so I departed the pattern straight out on a downwind to resolve the issue. After pumping my landing gear down by hand; I established communication with my cellphone with Maintenance on the ground at ZZZ; who made radio calls for me as I flew the aircraft in on final. I touched down and was able to terminate the flight without further incident. My main concern in filing this report is that after experiencing the electrical system failure; I did not have a functioning transponder. ZZZ is located within the Mode C Veil of ZZZ1; and a transponder is required while operating inside of the veil. Because of the electrical system failure; I was operating without a transponder. Based on the nature of this incident; the best course of corrective action that could be taken in order to prevent a recurring incident of a similar nature is for the electrical system to be examined and undergo whatever maintenance is necessary.
Pilot reported returning to the departure airport after loss of electrical power.