Furthermore, if a plane I was flying was hit by lightning and blew out
my electrical system, I'd be definitely considering an immediate
off-field precautionary landing to inspect for other damage before
continuing.

Given that one of the things that happens when a boat is struck by
lightning is a scrambling of the magnetic compass, I would likely do
the same. (Plus I might want to check to make sure my backside was
still attached to the rest of me. A ligntning strike! Sheez. That's
scary.)

The compass (again, speaking from experience in a boat) might be as
much as 10 degrees off.

all the best -- Dan Ford
email: www.danford.net/letters.htm#9

see the Warbird's Forum at http://www.danford.net/index.htm
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