A glider is an interesting from the point of view of lightning.

The pilot sits in one of the lightning zone 1 area (i.e. the nose area)
which is prone to direct lightning strike attachment. In more more
conventional light aircraft the cabin is generally in zone 2 which is
subject to flash over only ... not direct attachment.

If lightning strikes an unprotected composite aircraft such as the forward
fuselage of a glider it will in all likelihood blow a hole through the skin
and attach to something metal (such as the rudder pedals). The arcing /
plasma etc can then cause an expansion of the air in the cavity (cockpit).
This phenomina has been responsible for blowing radomes off the nose of jet
aircraft. I assume that this is what blew the canopy out on this glider (I
still need to read the reports).

Composite structures in powered aircraft and helicopters are normally
protected from direct lightening strike in Zone 1 via a fine copper or
aluminium mesh embedded in the laminate (outer layer). These meshes are
generally manufactured by one of a couple of companies (Astrostike or
Exmet). The certification standards for gliders (JAR 22) do not however
require this as does say FAR 23 for light aircraft. It would be interesting
to know if these are isolated incidents (after all gliders don't make a
habit of flying near thunder clouds) or if it is more common than we might
all have imagined.


"Bill Daniels" wrote in message
...

"GM" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hello all in US-gliderland,
Some time ago, there was an interesting article in Soaring about a
glider being struck by a lightning. I seem to remember a photos of
scourched sneakers, a blown out canopy and other damage. Can anybody
tell me which issue of Soaring this was or if this article is available
online?

Thanks,

Uli Neumann


Did you see some BIG SPARKS lately, Uli?

Bill Daniels