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In a message dated 6/21/01 11:14:55 AM EST, marvkaye@olsusa.com writes:

<< If my memory serves, to pass testing, a layer of
 metal screen cloth had to be bonded to the wing skins and wicked. >>

Paint thickness is also a very big factor for lightning strike on composite
aircraft with metal mesh. The thinner paint will allow the lightning to
penetrate to the underlying conductive pathways easier. If the paint is
thicker, the lightning energy cannot dissapate as easily so it dwells in one
spot and does more damage before it reaches the conductive mesh.

I can't say what would happen for a straight carbon structure, but I would
guess the paint thickness would have an effect as well since the carbon is
somewhat conductive itself.

If there is enough interest in lightning strike protection, Lancair customers
might get the factory to offer an airframe with improved lightning
protection. There are carbon prepreg materials available that have interwoven
aluminum wires just for the purpose of lightning protection. Don't know how
much more expensive these would be, though.

Paul Klusman
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LML website:   http://www.olsusa.com/mkaye/maillist.html
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Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.
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