LIGHTNING PROTECTION TECHNOLOGY FOR SMALLER COMPOSITE MATERIAL GENERAL AVIATION AIRCRAFT

THE RECENT LIGHTNING PROTECTION TECHNOLOGY EMPLOYED IN NEW GENERAL AVIATION COMPOSITE MATERIAL AIRCRAFT ACHIEVED FAA TYPE CERTIFICATION UNDER PART 23 REGULATIONS. THIS OPENS THE POSSIBILITY OF INNOVATIVELY ENGINEERING A PROTECTION METHOD THAT IS COST EFFECTIVE FOR SMALLER GENERAL AVIATION COMPOSITE MATERIAL AIRCRAFT AND THEIR DIGITAL AVIONICS WHICH PRESENTLY HAVE NO SUCH PROTECTION. PROGRESS TOWARDS THIS GOAL CAN BE MADE BY APPLYING THIS EXPERTISE TO EVOLVE A PREDICTION TECHNIQUE FOR THE HAZARD WHICH CAN THEN BE USED TO DESIGN A LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR THE GLASAIR FACTORY BUILT AIRCRAFT KIT PRODUCED BY STODDARD-HAMILTON AIRCRAFT, INC. OF WHICH APPROXIMATELY 1000 HAVE BEEN SOLD. THE AIM OF THE EFFORT WILL BE TO PROVIDE A DESIGN THAT WILL AT MINIMUM PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING IN EVENT OF A LIGHTING STRIKE: I) PROTECT THE STRUCTURE FROM CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, II) PROTECT THE OCCUPANTS FROM PHYSIOLOGICAL DAMAGE, III) PREVENT A FUEL SYSTEM FIRE.