Allen, Author at WXGuard Aero

Engineers Protect Aircraft from Lightning!

by Allen | Aug 17, 2010 | Lightning Protection | 0 comments

Interesting article in the Ottawa Citizen about lightning strikes to aircraft. The article states “Lightning…..is a constant threat to passenger jets.” Lightning is a threat, just like rain, hail, and birds. However, thousands of engineers spend countless hours designing and testing aircraft to withstand the effects of lightning. And, this is the important point, THE LIGHTNING SAFETY OF AIRCRAFT HAS NEVER BEEN BETTER. Even as aircraft use more electronic systems and transition away from aluminum to carbon fiber (Boeing 787, Learjet 85, Hawker Beechcraft Premier and Horizon), lightning strikes rarely affects aircraft. In many cases the passengers don’t even know the aircraft has been...