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Rae McLelland wrote:
Subject: lightning strikes
 
Speaking of lightning strikes, what's the expected survival of a composite  
carbon fiber airplane?

Rae,
A German-built composite sailplane was hit by a very heavy lightning
discharge in the UK a couple of years ago, and the aircraft disintegrated.
Both student pilot and instructor were wearing parachutes and escaped with
minor injuries. The British authorities were able to recover virtually all of
the aircraft and conducted an extensive analysis. Summary: No airplane would
have survived the kind of hit the sailplane took. The details are
fascinating. I am on the road, but will try to obtain and post the reference.
Worth reading.

Bob Pastusek
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Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.
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