2007-08-07 15:36:55 · 10 answers · asked by Abanoub 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
well before they go into the clouds their exposed to lightning
2007-08-07 15:46:06 · update #1
I am a aircraft mechanic with a major airline, I have been doing structural repair for 23 years, and yes they do get hit by lightening. It can do some damage especially in the nose radome area, it will knock holes in the fiberglass, when it hits the wings or fuselage it generally just makes small burn marks and leaves little impressions and you can see the metal kind of rolls up into small balls. It is actually fairly common.
2007-08-07 16:30:12 · answer #1 · answered by Tommy H 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Thunder is a sonic event caused by lightning and produces no electrical shock.
Plane get hit by lightning all the time and have some components to protect certain items. Electrica sheilding and static disapators to reduce the effect(let it pass through).
They sustain damage all the time and we just go fix it. Electronic and structural repairs resulting from lightning strikes are just part of the game.
Rarely are they a threat to disable and aircraft.
Ret. USAF SNCO
2007-08-08 08:13:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They don't. They get hit by lightning sometimes. But because the passengers and electronics are inside the plane and insulated, the jolt doesn't usually get past the outside of the plane. Same with cars. Driving in a thunderstorm, the safest place to be is in your car. It is interesting to note that Apollo 12, the second manned moon landing mission, got struck by lightning right after it lifted off, and a lot of the electrical systems went out, but they reset them on the fly and everything was ducky for the rest of the mission.
2007-08-07 22:44:59 · answer #3 · answered by Me again 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Aircraft can get hit by lightning. However, pilots (at least the sensible ones) will avoid thunderstorms by a safe distance.
Also, thunderstorms produce many hazards such as hail, severe icing, and extreme turbulence which can be at least as hazardous as lightning. A severe thunderstorm can reach the tropopause which can be as high as 60,000 ft in many cases, and can spit hail out of the top. As a result, trying to overfly a thunderstorm is not very wise and it is better to go around it.
2007-08-08 05:56:41 · answer #4 · answered by fitman 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Airliners and aircraft are regularly struck by lightning but they are not grounded. The electricity passes harmlessly through the aircraft.
2007-08-07 22:52:51 · answer #5 · answered by ericbryce2 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Their not grounded since they're in the air. What kills you is the electric current passing thru you as its being grounded..
NASA had an old F106 they fly out of Va that they use for one purpose, it was flown into storms so that it can be struck. The use it to test the electronic equipment on board.
Here's a film clip of the F106 being hit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIYQcHfSEvI
2007-08-07 22:47:41 · answer #6 · answered by ZRX1200 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I think you mean struck by lightening. They do get struck by lightening. Although they are designed with that possibility in mind, they can suffer damage to electronic equipment.
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2007-08-07 22:42:01 · answer #7 · answered by Jacob W 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Usually air crafts don't like to fly in that type of weather.
Thunder doesnt strike down, it's actually charged air hitting the ground then the surge goes up back into the cloud. Air planes are usually flying above the clouds, so they avoid the weather.
2007-08-07 22:42:53 · answer #8 · answered by Saddler 3 · 0⤊ 6⤋
thunder does'nt shock so theres really no problem.... thanx for the 2 points
2007-08-08 02:13:01 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
they don't. happens all the time. not a big deal really. most of the time anyway.
2007-08-07 23:13:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋