If normal electrical power is lost, essential cockpit lighting is maintained for the:

Essential cockpit lighting is critical for ensuring that pilots can maintain visibility of their instruments and necessary controls in an emergency situation when normal electrical power is lost. The correct choice emphasizes the retention of power specifically for the Captain's instrument panel, which includes powered CRTs (Cathode Ray Tubes) and flood lighting.

In the event of a power failure, the aircraft is designed to provide backup power for vital systems to maintain safe operation. The Captain's instrument panel is prioritized because it is the primary interface for the pilot managing flight operations, allowing for critical flight information such as altitude, speed, and navigation to be continually monitored. Along with the standby compass and right dome light, this configuration guarantees that the Captain has the essential visual references needed to operate the aircraft safely under low-light conditions or total electrical failure.

Other options may include components or panels that are not deemed as essential under these failure conditions, which helps to ensure that power is allocated to the most critical components for maintaining operational safety.