Boeing 787 Withstands First Lightning Strike — Tech Ops Forum

Sponsor Message:


My Starred Topics \| Profile \| New Topic \| Forum Index \| Help \| Search

Boeing 787 Withstands First Lightning Strike

NoWorries From United States of America, joined Oct 2006, 523 posts, RR: 1
Posted (2 years 11 months 1 week 9 hours ago) and read 4538 times:

It shouldn't come as any surprise, but the 787 survived its first strike ...

http://www.businessweek.com/news/201...tning-strike-as-tests-advance.html

9 replies: All unread, jump to last

bikerthai From United States of America, joined Apr 2010, 1588 posts, RR: 4
Reply 1, posted (2 years 11 months 1 week 9 hours ago) and read 4512 times:

It really depends on where the lighting hit. I mean, if it hit the engine naccelle, the empenage, the radome, trailing surfaces, then the reaction wouldn't be any different than it would if the lightning hit a 777 because the construction of those items are the same (or almost the same).

It will be interesting to follow this development. I'm just tagging this to better track this discussion.

bikerthai

Intelligent seeks knowledge. Enlightened seeks wisdom.

BlatantEcho From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 1868 posts, RR: 1
Reply 2, posted (2 years 11 months 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 4142 times:

It's going to get struck by lightning all the time in service, of course it's going to do fine.

Sure, it's super top secret carbon-fiber....but you think this didn't get planned for?

They're not handing trophies out today

NoWorries From United States of America, joined Oct 2006, 523 posts, RR: 1
Reply 3, posted (2 years 11 months 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 4018 times:

I am a little curious -- the article mentions that there were no signs of any damage. When an inspection is performed after a strike, how often are there no signs of damage vs. signs of some damage vs. serious damage. Would it be safe to say that most of the time there is little or no damage? Many modern planes have at least some parts made of composite -- is the incidence of damage for those parts comparable to more traditional material?

[Edited 2010-06-18 04:20:37]

SEPilot From United States of America, joined Dec 2006, 6256 posts, RR: 39
Reply 4, posted (2 years 11 months 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 3772 times:

I certainly find this encouraging-this was the biggest worry I had about the 787, even though I had confidence that the Boeing engineers had adequately provided for it. I had no fear that lightning would actually bring the plane down, but I was concerned that it might burn out some of the wire mesh embedded in the composite, which would be a very expensive thing to repair. But it is very good news to me that it actually encountered lightning and survived unscathed.

The problem with making things foolproof is that fools are so doggone ingenious...Dan Keebler

HAWK21M From India, joined Jan 2001, 31201 posts, RR: 58
Reply 5, posted (2 years 11 months 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 3727 times:

Quoting NoWorries (Reply 3):
the article mentions that there were no signs of any damage

Thats odd,shouldn't there be an Entry & Exit point post lightening strike.
regds
MEL.

Think of the brighter side!

Planenutok From United States of America, joined Mar 2008, 21 posts, RR: 0
Reply 6, posted (2 years 11 months 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 3691 times:

Quoting HAWK21M (Reply 5):
Quoting NoWorries (Reply 3):
the article mentions that there were no signs of any damage

Thats odd,shouldn't there be an Entry & Exit point post lightening strike.
regds
MEL.

Every lightening strike that I have worked has had damage to some extend if it was actually hit. The damage varies from discolored paint at entry or exit, to holes in the airframe and blown off static wicks. Now a suspected lightening strike on the other hand may or may not have actually hit the airframe but the crews will still write up a strike if they see a bright flash close by. That's my 2 cents.

HAWK21M From India, joined Jan 2001, 31201 posts, RR: 58
Reply 7, posted (2 years 11 months 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 3383 times:

Quoting Planenutok (Reply 6):
but the crews will still write up a strike if they see a bright flash close by

Flash visible closeby in Flight would mean a high chance that the Aircraft in question has encountered lightening strike.So there would have to be an Entry & exit point.
regds
MEL.

Think of the brighter side!

MrSkyGuy From United States of America, joined Aug 2008, 1203 posts, RR: 3
Reply 8, posted (2 years 11 months 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 3238 times:

One would imagine this is tested extensively on the ground in controlled lightning generation facilities, no? I'd imagine the effects of a lightning discharge on these materials would be well known and documented, leaving the airborne proving runs for the FAA's requirements.

"The strength of the turbulence is directly proportional to the temperature of your coffee." -- Gunter's 2nd Law of Air

tdscanuck From Canada, joined Jan 2006, 12709 posts, RR: 81
Reply 9, posted (2 years 11 months 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 3167 times:

Quoting MrSkyGuy (Reply 8):
One would imagine this is tested extensively on the ground in controlled lightning generation facilities, no?

They are. Which is why it's so hilarious to watch so many people think this is some kind of huge unknown risk.

Quoting MrSkyGuy (Reply 8):
I'd imagine the effects of a lightning discharge on these materials would be well known and documented

They are. Have been for more than 25 years.

Quoting MrSkyGuy (Reply 8):
leaving the airborne proving runs for the FAA's requirements.

You don't have to prove lightning strike capability by flight test (that would be a stupid way to "prove" it anyway)...you never intentionally get the plane hit by lightning for commercial certification.

Tom.

Top Of Page

Forum Index

Reply To This Topic Boeing 787 Withstands First Lightning Strike

Username:	No username? Sign up now!
Password:	Forgot Password? Be reminded. Remember me on this computer (uses cookies)

Tech/Ops related posts only!
Not Tech/Ops related? Use the other forums
No adverts of any kind. This includes web pages.
No hostile language or criticizing of others.
Do not post copyright protected material.
Use relevant and describing topics.
Check if your post already been discussed.
Check your spelling!
DETAILED RULES

Check Spelling

Please check your spelling (press "Check Spelling" above)

Similar topics: