Definition
The deliberate disconnection of non-essential electrical equipment from the airplane's electrical system in order to reduce the load on the remaining power source, typically the battery, after a failure of the alternator or generator. Load shedding preserves battery power for essential items such as communication and navigation radios needed to complete the flight safely.
Plain English
Turning off electrical equipment you don't need so the battery lasts longer when the alternator or generator quits.
Context Anchor
Seen in electrical system discussions, especially when an alternator or generator is not supplying enough power.
Derivation
From 'load' meaning the demand placed on the electrical system, and 'shedding' meaning to drop or get rid of. Together: dropping electrical demand to save power.
Why Pilots Care
Extends usable battery time so critical flight instruments, navigation radios, and engine ignition remain available until the aircraft can be landed safely.
Intuition Check
Do not think of load shedding as something falling off the airplane. Here, the load is electrical demand, and shedding means intentionally turning some of that demand off.
Example Sentence 1
After the alternator failure light came on, the pilot began load shedding by turning off the landing light, pitot heat, and cabin lights.
Example Sentence 2
Proper load shedding kept the attitude indicator and primary radios powered for the remainder of the flight on battery alone.