Questions tagged [lightning]

Questions about how the weather phenomenon of lightning affects aircraft

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How does an AO2 station see distant lightning when fogged in?

From local aerodrome weather this morning: SPECI KCRQ 161448Z 19007KT 1/2SM R24/3500VP6000FT FG OVC003 20/18 A2994 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT SW AND W How does an AO2 station observe for reporting, distant ...
TH2OMBRE's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
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There is a difference in the runway lighting systems symbolized in the planview and the lighting system specified in additional runway information?

Although two different lighting systems are symbolized for two runways in the airport plan view, the same lighting system is specified for runways 05 and 23 in the additional runway information ...
pilot162's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
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How far does the lightning detector work at an AWOS station, as reported in a METAR?

I noticed on my local airport's METAR that there was distant lightning to the east. I am near Kansas City. When I looked at radar, the only possible system that could produce lightning was in the St. ...
Tyler Young's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
688 views

When airplane pilots begin a 10 minute wait timer when lightning strikes, is there a geometric reason behind it?

Preface This question is taken from a similar one inside the mathematics stack exchange. I followed the suggestion given in the comment by Jyrki Lahtonen and posted said question here. Background ...
isakbob's user avatar
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2 answers
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What is the difference between stopbars and Intermediate Holding Position Lights?

I know that stop bars continuously light red and stand at before taxi route joint, holding points, or at the runway entrance, but what about the Intermediate Holding Position Lights? How can we ...
Volkan Eroğlu's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
122 views

Aeroplane protection against lightning strikes [duplicate]

I would like to know what kind of protection are available on planes against lightning strikes.
Carlo Nava's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
1k views

What is the best way to navigate a storm?

Let me say I had no choice other than fly through a storm I'm on a one way mission to airdrop a vital cure to an isolated area. I can't turn around, land or go around, I have to go through. Going ...
Muze's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
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Can a lightning strike lead to structural damages of the fuselage and eventually cause decompression?

I know that modern aircraft are designed to withstand lightning strikes. Still is there a possibility for aircraft to sustain significant damages of the fuselage due to lightning strikes and ...
Valeriya's user avatar
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0 answers
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How strongly is airband affected by severe thunderstorms in practice?

In light of this question I was very surprised to learn that despite operating on a higher frequency (108 MHz upwards) than the standard FM broadcasting, airband uses amplitude modulation (AM) instead ...
Thorsten S.'s user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
184 views

How do small unmanned fixed wing aircraft protect themselves against lightning strikes?

I'm asking this question after doing a small research project to see if a small UAS can fly through thunderstorm and trigger lightning strikes. I've googled a bit, and all I've seen are large aircraft ...
user11377's user avatar
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2 votes
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How HF wire antennas on older aircraft are protected from lightning and static discharge?

For HF antennas installed on some older aircraft with wires running from points on the fuselage to the tail, what precautions are used to prevent lighting strikes or P-static accumulation from ...
khaled's user avatar
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13 votes
2 answers
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Do passengers notice if the aircraft is struck by lightning?

I recently saw a video from Valk Aviation (actual scene) of a KLM B777-300 struck by lightning on departure. It happened a few days ago. I know this looks more frightening than it really is and the ...
PerlDuck's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
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Aircraft lightning: What are the requirements for airworthiness?

Can you enlighten me about the airworthiness requirements in the field of lightning, for commercial aviation: Which voltage or intensity is the aircraft required to sustain? How is it demonstrated in ...
mins's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
3k views

Are carbon fiber/composite aircraft at greater risk from lightning? [duplicate]

Modern jetliners are protected from lightning by their metal skin. When they are struck by lightning, the electricity almost invariably travels through the skin and out the other side without damaging ...
Timpanus's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
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Is there a checklist for lightning strike?

Is there a specific checklist or procedure to follow, after a confirmed or suspected lightning strike on the aircraft? Or is a basic scan around the cockpit (plane is flying, no warning lights, no ...
kevin's user avatar
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38 votes
7 answers
7k views

How are wooden aircraft protected from lightning strikes?

A wooden aircraft is not conductive and if a lightning hits the wood it will instantaneously ignite. How would you protect a wooden aircraft from this occurrence?
Gianni Alessandro's user avatar
10 votes
2 answers
6k views

How well does a composite fuselage deal with lightning?

The metal fuselage of an aircraft, being highly conductive, protects occupants, interior components and fuel from the effects of lightning by conducting the electricity around them. Some newer ...
TomMcW's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
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How are aircraft protected from lightning strikes by conductive skin?

I've read this question and this one, but they don't really answer my question. How or why are aircraft protected (from lightning) by a conducting skin, such as aluminum? Conductors allow current to ...
DrZ214's user avatar
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6 votes
3 answers
583 views

Can static electricity affect navigational instruments?

Is it possible for navigational instruments to get affected by static electricity or electrical discharges like lightning? If so, how does this happen?
Madhav Sudarshan's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
3k views

What is static discharging noise and what is its effect on radio communications?

What is static electricity discharging noise ? How does this phenomena affect radio communications ? Does the discharging happen through lightning and are static discharger fixed or are they ...
Davide's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
525 views

What tests are done on aircraft wings for testing the effects of lightning? [duplicate]

During the testing phase of aircraft wings, there are lot of testing like temperature, pressure, humidity, vibration and load/stress. Apart from these, does any one have idea which other tests are ...
NitinG's user avatar
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24 votes
2 answers
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How frequently do aircraft get struck by lightning?

We have several questions here about what happens to an aircraft when it gets struck by lightning (e.g. this question), and at least one answer from a former pilot who knows he was struck once and ...
FreeMan's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
543 views

What happens when lightning strikes an airplane? [duplicate]

What happens to an airplane when hit by lightning?
Pedro Paulo Pereira Jr.'s user avatar
15 votes
2 answers
1k views

How is an on ground lightning strike test conducted?

Whenever a design company is obtaining an STC for an aircraft (Supplemental Design Certificate) for an electrical installation, one of the required tests to obtain the STC is a lightning strike test. ...
esé's user avatar
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12 votes
1 answer
1k views

What is the low resistance design path in an aircraft to withstand a lightning strike?

I know in a building we have lightning rods that conduct a lightning strike into the earth, but for an aircarft there is no ground to 'ground' so I assume the lightning enters and passes through the ...
esé's user avatar
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