Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Flight Crew Flight Engineer; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 14000; Flight Crew Type 300
Situational Awareness; Workload; Training / Qualification; Human-Machine Interface; Confusion
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Diverted; General Declared Emergency
Procedure; Human Factors; Aircraft; Weather
Enroute; lost alternator charging. Reduced power loads; declared emergency. ATC offered weather info for ZZZ as 5;000 feet 230/15. I diverted and encountered moderate turbulence for bulk of flight. Programming the [Multi-Function Display] and [GPS] in turbulence while hand flying led to strong disorientation; almost exceeded my ability and I had very large deviations in heading and altitude. I'd type in the point for direct and come back at 40 degrees of bank in a climb or dive. It was very hard to look away. Descended to smoother (still light to moderate turbulence) and picked up the field. I had coordinated way out with...Center in the event of lost com. Stopped answering radio to save power; and made it in. The problem of navigation is critical with power failure in any plane; but it feels more extreme with a glass panel since you lose normal pitot static as well. ATC was most accommodating and got us right in. Ugly approach; good landing in 17/G29 winds; but we walked away. I will fly day VFR only until I can trust the alternator reliability after repairs.
High-time C182 pilot experienced an alternator malfunction and near loss of control in flight while trying to program glass panel in moderate turbulence. Pilot declared an emergency and diverted with ATC assistance.