Log battery voltage issues in FlightView eAML to alert maintenance and keep the ERJ ready

Battery voltage is more than a number on a gauge. In the SkyWest ERJ cockpit, it’s a signal that something in the electrical system might be drifting off course. If you ever see the voltage dip below 21.0 V, here’s the right move—and no, it isn’t to push the mental “ignore” button and pretend the situation will disappear.

The moment 21.0 V appears on the screen

Let me explain it plainly: when the voltage falls under 21.0 V, you’re not just looking at a warning light. You’re looking at a possible electrical issue that could affect flight safety or aircraft readiness. In that moment, you owe it to the team, the passengers, and the aircraft to treat this as more than a fleeting anomaly. The instinct isn’t to rush into a fix but to document, notify, and allow maintenance to review the root cause. That disciplined response is what separates routine operations from unplanned delays or, worse, an in-flight snag.

Don’t be tempted to push past it

Here’s the thing—some impulse tugs you to power up the system again, or to continue the flight and see if the voltage recovers. It can feel like a quick workaround, but that mindset can mask an underlying problem that could worsen. The engineers and maintenance crew aren’t just doers; they’re safeguards. If you power up in the face of a low voltage reading, you might be masking a fault that would become critical later. And continuing the flight with a known electrical issue? That’s a gamble you shouldn’t take. The risk isn’t just to the airplane; it’s to everyone on board.

Why logging it in eAML in Flightview is the right move

So, what should you actually do? The correct action is to write it up in the eAML (Electronic Aircraft Maintenance Log) in Flightview. It’s not about filling out a form for form’s sake. It’s about creating a clear, traceable record that maintenance can act on, then and only then decide what comes next. There are several benefits to this approach:

• Immediate alert to maintenance: The maintenance team sees the issue in real time, can assess safety and readiness, and decide if the airplane remains in service or needs a precautionary inspection.

• Formal record for compliance: Aviation operates on meticulous records. A written entry creates a defensible history of the problem and the steps taken, which matters for regulatory review and future reference.

• Clear accountability: The log captures who noted the condition, what readings were taken, and what actions were (or were not) performed. That clarity saves questions later.

• Better risk management: With a documented voltage issue, the airline can schedule maintenance during the next available window, minimizing disruption to flight operations while preserving safety.

What to include when you log: a practical checklist

If you’re reporting this kind of electrical signal, keep the entry concise but complete. Here are the kinds of details that help maintenance quickly assess and address the issue:

• Aircraft and leg details: Tail number, flight number, phase of flight (preflight, taxi, takeoff, en route, landing). If you’re on the ground, note that too.

• Voltage specifics: The exact reading (for example, “battery voltage 20.8 V” rather than “low voltage”). Mention how it trended—was it steady, did it fluctuate, was there a momentary spike?

• System or component involved: Note if the message relates to the electrical bus, battery, generators, or a particular circuit breaker that behaved abnormally.

• Symptoms observed: Any warning flags, abnormal sounds, or unexpected behavior in related systems (avionics, lights, hydraulic indicators, etc.).

• Actions taken: Record what you did on the spot (disconnecting a device, cycling a switch, attempting a reset, or performing a standard battery re-check). Be precise about the sequence.

• Time stamps: When the reading was observed, when you logged it, and any follow-up notes or maintenance responses.

• Impact on operations: Whether this affects flight status, MEL considerations, or crew limitations.

• Reporter identity: Who logged the issue and who validated the data.

Connecting it to CQ and KV: why this matters beyond the moment

Cockpit Qualification (CQ) and Knowledge Validation (KV) aren’t about memorizing a checklist and moving on. They’re about forming habits that keep people safe and the fleet reliable. Properly documenting an electrical anomaly demonstrates two core competencies:

• Judgment under pressure: Recognizing that a voltage drop isn’t just a nuisance; it’s a safety signal that deserves a formal review rather than a quick fix or a flight continuation.

• Integrity of information: Maintaining a clean, traceable record supports maintenance planning, regulatory compliance, and the overall health of the fleet. It shows you value accurate communication and disciplined workflows over short-term convenience.

A little digression I can’t resist: aviation thrives on clear, practical language

In aviation, we love systems that “just work” in the background. Most days, that’s true. But when something goes off script—like a sub-21V battery reading—the real skill shines through: documenting what happened so someone else doesn’t have to guess. The eAML in Flightview is more than a database entry; it’s a bridge between crews in the cockpit and the people who ensure the airworthiness of every flight. Think of it as the flight deck’s memory, organized, accessible, and ready for the next step.

What happens after you log it?

Once the entry hits Flightview, maintenance can triage. They’ll review the log, pull historical data, check the battery health, and determine if an in-depth inspection or replacement is needed before the aircraft returns to service. If the issue is urgent, it might trigger a maintenance event, curtailing a particular flight’s schedule. If it’s less urgent, it could be tagged for a routine check in the next maintenance window. Either way, the path forward is visible and traceable.

A quick note on not-so-obvious pitfalls

• Don’t hide the problem behind a quick reset in the cockpit. A reset can wipe symptoms or reset warnings, but it doesn’t fix the underlying cause.

• Don’t assume the battery is the only culprit. Electrical systems are interlinked; a voltage drop can hint at generator issues, wiring faults, or load problems elsewhere.

• Don’t delay documentation. The clock is part of the safety equation; delays in logging can muddy the picture for maintenance decision-making and regulatory audits.

A broader lens on safety culture

Think of this as more than a single checkbox. The practice of documenting electrical anomalies feeds a larger safety culture—one that prioritizes transparency, proactive reporting, and disciplined follow-through. For every flight, a small decision like logging a voltage reading becomes a thread in a wider fabric of safety, reliability, and professional accountability. That’s the core of CQ and KV in action: not just knowing the systems, but knowing what to do when the system signals trouble.

From the cockpit to the maintenance shop: a shared language

When you write up a voltage issue in eAML, you’re speaking a shared language that all parties understand. Pilots describe what they saw; engineers interpret the implications; operations plan around the information. That shared language keeps everyone aligned, even in the busy pace of airline life. It’s a practical demonstration of how CQ and KV translate knowledge into confident, informed action.

A few practical takeaways you can carry forward

• When voltage is under 21.0 V, treat it as a maintenance-worthy alert, not a nuisance.

• Use Flightview’s eAML to log the issue with clear, specific information. This isn’t filing for the sake of filing; it’s about enabling effective, timely maintenance actions.

• Include steps you took, what you observed, and what the team needs to review. Clarity reduces back-and-forth and speeds a safe resolution.

• Remember that the goal is safe, reliable operations—not to prove how fast you can get back in the air. Patience here pays off in fewer surprises later.

Closing thoughts: staying steady in the shoulder seasons of flight

Electrical quirks happen. They’re part of the high-stakes environment you’ve trained for in CQ and KV. The right response—document, alert, and let maintenance triage—keeps passengers safe and keeps schedules intact. It’s a small discipline with outsized impact, and it’s exactly the kind of thing that separates seasoned crews from the rest.

So next time you notice voltage slipping below 21.0 V, remember the rule of thumb: log it in eAML in Flightview, share the specifics, and trust the maintenance network to take it from there. The cockpit remains your arena, but the safety net you help maintain spans the whole operation. That’s how SkyWest stays reliable—one well-documented entry at a time.