Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150; Flight Crew Total 3800; Flight Crew Type 7
Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Troubleshooting; Communication Breakdown; Confusion
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
I departed in a Cirrus SR22 with no passengers on a VFR Part 91 personal training flight. The weather reads as follows; ZZZ 17011g18 10SM Few 050 BKN 150 BKN 200 19/15 29.87. After departing the airfield I proceeded northbound. Approximately 5 minutes into the flight; I saw the ALT 2 Light Steady ON. I performed the ALT 2 Steady ON checklist. After performing the checklist; it was determined that the matter would remain unresolved. I then turned back for my departure airport to land as soon as practical as this is the final step in the checklist. I announced to Tower my call sign position; current ATIS information and that I had an Alternator 2 failure and would like to return to the airfield for landing. The Tower then cleared me to set for a straight in approach for 15. Several minutes later Tower said to please state the problem again. I responded that I had an alternator 2 failure 'and that it shouldn't be a problem; but I would like to return to the airport.' Tower responded with 'I heard you say it wouldn't be a problem; but just for our end we are going to go ahead and call an alert and have persons standing by; please say persons on board and fuel remaining'. I responded with; '1 person on board and 3 hrs fuel remaining'. I did not declare an emergency or request equipment to be standing by.  It was several minutes later that I was cleared to land. After landing I proceeded to the hangar ramp and was met by a fire truck. I debriefed with the emergency personnel and no further requests were made by emergency personnel or ATC. Following landing I contacted the Chief Pilot and he arranged the maintenance to be performed.
A SR22 ALT 2 alerted a generator two failure after takeoff so the pilot returned to the departure airport after completing the ALT 2 Steady ON checklist.