LIGHTNING BUG? THERE IS A DEVELOPING CONSENSUS, THOUGH FAR FROM UNIVERSAL, THAT REGIONAL JETS ARE PRONE TO LIGHTNING STRIKES

This article looks at the issue of lightning strikes and the particular vulnerability of regional jets to these strikes. Factors such as altitude, temperature, and geography can play a role in an aircraft’s propensity to be hit by lightning. Regional jets tend to fly several legs a day, and thus are exposed more often to lightning. These jets also spend a significant among of time in the 10,000 ft. altitude range which is considered to be the “lightning zone.” Aircraft size and shape can affect the intensity of the electrical field near the airplane’s surface. Some researchers contend that the ratio of the length of a regional jet to its wingspan may give these planes a tendency to attract lightning.Even though commercial aircraft are designed to dissipate energy and shed electricity as efficiently as possible, design features found on regional jets such as the sharp angles of winglets are prone to attack. The damage caused by lightning strikes can be significant, ranging from creating havoc with scheduling to extensive aircraft distress. Ways to mitigate damage to aircraft are being explored. The use of delay-inducing composite material is being tested as a way to provide a path for the lightning energy to be delivered through the airframe and out into space. In addition, providing both lightning and precipitation data to flight crews via satellite may help in making decisions that might reduce the incidence of strikes by up to 50%.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00022543
• Corporate Authors:

  Penton Media

  1300 E 9th Street
  Cleveland, OH  United States  44114-1503
• Authors:
  • Chandler, J G
• Publication Date: 2005-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: pp 80-81
• Serial:
  • ATW: Air Transport World
  • Volume: 42
  • Issue Number: 6
  • Publisher: Penton Media
  • ISSN: 0002-2543

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Lightning; Regional jets
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01005398
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
• Files: BTRIS, TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 19 2005 12:42PM