Return-Path: Sender: (Marvin Kaye) To: lml Date: Thu, 22 May 2003 21:57:24 -0400 Message-ID: X-Original-Return-Path: Received: from ms-smtp-03.tampabay.rr.com ([65.32.1.41] verified) by logan.com (CommuniGate Pro SMTP 4.1b6) with ESMTP id 2359826 for lml@lancaironline.net; Thu, 22 May 2003 20:39:48 -0400 Received: from tednoel (220.198.8.67.cfl.rr.com [67.8.198.220]) by ms-smtp-03.tampabay.rr.com (8.12.5/8.12.5) with SMTP id h4N0dlSB023241 for ; Thu, 22 May 2003 20:39:47 -0400 (EDT) X-Original-Message-ID: <004d01c320c3$cfe579a0$0100000a@tednoel> From: "Ted Noel" X-Original-To: "Lancair Mail List" Subject: lightning X-Original-Date: Thu, 22 May 2003 20:39:47 -0400 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2800.1106 X-MIMEOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1106 When visiting Lancair last December, I was shown the effects of a lightning strike on the original L-IV prototype. It had been leased to TCM in Mobile for some engine tests. While on approach one day, it took a lightning strike on one winglet. You can see a thumbnail sized burn where the bolt entered. Near the wing root is a similar thumbnail sized exit burn. TCM flew the plane for about 40 hours after the strike. As I was in Redmond, the plane was grounded for control surface hinge replacement (wear, not lightning damage). Most likely the lightning entered at the end of the carbon fiber, traveled along either the skin or the spar, then exited at the other end of the skin. The only burn areas were at the resistive interfaces. It appeared that there was no other damage. My guess is that the carbon fiber skin of the L-IV is a very good lightning protection. Ted Noel ________________________ The Bible Only ---- If the Bible doesn't teach it, neither will we. http://www.bibleonly.org Home of BibleOnly Press, publisher of "I Want to be Left Behind." http://www.bibleonly.org/press/