Regardless, a failed electrical system constitutes an emergency in my book. If that happens, I want to be on the ground ASAP,
and certainly before my handheld's batteries die. Last thing I want to be doing is changing batteries while hand flying
(electrical system is gone, which also means no autopilot) in the clag. Using the emergency authority, I'm going to do whatever
it takes to get me on the ground asap without taking undue risks. I'd rather fill out the paperwork than have to have my hiers
fill it out.

Ron Natalie wrote:

"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote in message ink.net...

Follow the damn thread. The question was directed at someone who
hypothesized losing comm radios and transponder but did not lose the nav
radios.

I am following the damn thread. Mr. Thomas was arguing that he would hold
until the ETA in a lost comm situation. I agree with you that it doesn't make
sense, but you then asked what sort of bizarre failure would (presumably,
I'm interpretting here because you were terse as usual as to what you were
specifically asking) let you navigate the hold once you've lost comm AND
transponder. As several pointed out, lots of us have handheld GPS's
either already out for situational awareness even if they don't use them for
primary nav, or onboard for backup (or other VFR use). It's also not unheard
of two lose complete electrical. It's happened to me in two different aircraft
(one an alternator mechanical failure, and the other an electrical circuitry failure).

So while it might make no operational sense to fly around in holds in a lost comm/transponder
situation, it's quite possible in a existant part of the GA fleet to do so.

--
--Ray Andraka, P.E.
President, the Andraka Consulting Group, Inc.
401/884-7930 Fax 401/884-7950
email
http://www.andraka.com

"They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little
temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
-Benjamin Franklin, 1759