The Operating Environment and Aircraft Performance

Hello to my readers!

     In this week's blog I will be discussing about lightning, and how can it severely impact the aircraft when it has been struck.

 So how is lightning formed? The answer to that is when a form of cumulus clouds is together, there is an instability in the atmosphere. These cumulus clouds will now turn into cumulonimbus clouds, and it is said that these clouds are the most severe and dangerous because they contain moisture and unstable air inside them. they form all sorts of hazards to the aircraft like hails, tornadoes, and you guessed it, thunderstorms! where lightning comes from. We all know lightning creates bright flashes and also make loud noises when it strikes the ground, but did you know that it could also hit airplanes while flying? Yes, you read that right! Studies have shown that lightning strikes occur between altitudes of 5,000ft to 15,000ft, that mean it is most likely to happen during descent phases or climb phases.



A single lightning strike can contain around 1 million volts or 30,000 amperes (Mandzikashvili 2020). So, what would happen when one of those hit the aircraft? Well for most cases, airplanes that usually go above 10,000 feet are mostly airliners and business jets. these airplanes are equipped with more lightning protection systems, such as anti-static wicks, wire bundle shields, and in today's aviation the aircraft structure is mainly composed of composite material, which is less conductive. 




But let's just say that we don't have those extra layers of defense. Majority of the electrical instruments of the aircraft would get affected or not even function anymore. Depending on how strong the lightning strike, it can penetrate the skin of the aircraft. It can severely diminish the capability of the navigation systems, including the magnetic compass. And the most severe one is that it can shut down the engines because of the electrical components it has and the generator itself can get affected, this is a worst-case scenario which it has not happen for a long time.

In conclusion to my blog, Lightning strikes are very dangerous to airplanes. But there are multiple ways to counteract lightning strikes such as the advancement of engineering towards the airplanes that are being produced and Pre Planned Responses for pilots to safely navigate through bad weather.

Thank you for reading my blog, until next time!

-Ralph


References:

Mandzikashvili, M. (2020) Aerotime Hub. Retrieved from;

https://www.aerotime.aero/25885-how-dangerous-is-a-lightning-strike-for-an-aircraft


Sweers, G. Birch, B. and Gokcen, J. (2014) Boeing Aero Magazine. Retrieved from;

https://www.boeing.com/commercial/aeromagazine/articles/2012_q4/4/

Federal Aviation Administration (2016). Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK). 

Retrieved From;

 https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak/







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