Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Engineer; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 120; Flight Crew Total 13000; Flight Crew Type 1000
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Aircraft; Weather
We were on an actual IFR training flight. During the ILS approach we lost communication; navigation and heading reference systems. We had no prior indications of power failure. We squawked 7600 and used my cell phone to communicate with tower. I informed them of our situation and intentions to use two battery backed up VFR GPS's to navigate a self vectoring final approach and descent. They coordinated with approach control. One was an iPad with approach plates with Geo referencing. I self vectored to ILS final and descent points to landing; very successful. Light gun control was used for landing clearance. I would advise all IFR pilots to have a backup GPS that powers independent from aircraft power. Also; I think approach control phone numbers should be on all IFR approach plates and; at least; RCOs (remote control outlets) for IFR clearances where available.
PA32 instructor pilot experiences a power loss in IMC; rendering communication; navigation and heading reference systems inoperative. A cell phone is used to communicate with ATC and an iPad with approach plates and geo referencing is used to successfully complete an approach to landing.