Only last year a glider flying out of Dunstable (UK) was hit by a lightning
strike. This particular story was televised on national tv, with a first
hand account from the surviving occupants - YES, they both survived as they
had parachutes.
At the time of the strike the Cu Nim clouds were about 5 miles away from the
glider. The lightning earthed on the control (aileron ) rods and they
vaporised like a massive fuse. The occupants said that there was a bang and
the glider exploded around them. They were both unharmed except one broke
his leg on landing.
The question seems to be "how close to a thunderstorm can you risk going ?"
Incidentally one of my bulld helpers works for Britannia Airways and we were
going to get our Europa sprayed in their hangar. The paint tecchies offered
to give us a coating of conductive paint. Apparently all composite
components (covers fairings etc) on airliners use this stuff. Unfortunately
we had to decline due to the weight factor.
Carl Pattinson
----- Original Message -----
From: Rob Housman <robh@hyperion-ef.com>
Subject: RE: Lighning Strike
> Last time I checked our Europas are not transport size aircraft, so this
is
> a no brainer: If you are close enough to a thunderstorm to get struck by
> lightning, you will die anyway (except, possibly, by being fortunate
enough
> to be wearing a parachute at the time). Let's see, do I want to die as a
> result of structural failure from turbulence or structural failure from
> lightning? Obvious answer: neither!
>
>
> Best regards,
>
> Rob Housman
>
> -----Original Message-----
> On Behalf Of J R (Bob) Gowing
> Subject: Lighning Strike
>
> There is a chapter on this subject in "Composite Airframe Structures" by
> Michael C Y Niu.
>
> It seems the ideal would be to "have the entire exterior surface highly
> conductive and electrically continuous". And the compromise "to a degree
> that is consistent with system requirements and safe operation."
>
> It all seems to be a difficult or almost impossible exercise (and
> expensive) exercise on composite aircraft.
>
> Is there anyone about please who doing anything about lightning risk on
> their Europa?
>
> JR (Bob) Gowing UK No 327
> 24 High St NSW 2550 Australia
>
>
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