Return-Path: Sender: (Marvin Kaye) To: lml Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 17:55:52 -0400 Message-ID: X-Original-Return-Path: Received: from smtpc.ha-net.ptd.net ([207.44.96.83] verified) by logan.com (CommuniGate Pro SMTP 4.0b7) with SMTP id 1736515 for lml@lancaironline.net; Wed, 18 Sep 2002 14:32:03 -0400 Received: (qmail 28750 invoked by uid 50005); 18 Sep 2002 17:17:19 -0000 Received: from liegner@ptd.net by smtpc.ha-net.ptd.net by uid 50002 with qmail-scanner-1.14 (uvscan: v4.1.60/v4222. spamassassin: 2.31. Clear:. Processed in 0.853461 secs); 18 Sep 2002 17:17:19 -0000 Received: from du184031.spa.ptd.net (HELO ?204.186.184.142?) ([204.186.184.31]) (envelope-sender ) by smtpc.ha-net.ptd.net (qmail-ldap-1.03) with SMTP for ; 18 Sep 2002 17:17:18 -0000 X-Sender: liegner@mail.ptdprolog.net X-Original-Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable X-Original-Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 14:30:41 -0400 X-Original-To: lml@lancaironline.net From: "Jeffrey T. Liegner, M.D." Subject: "FADEC equipped Lancair IV-P takes a lightning strike" =46ADEC equipped Lancair IV-P takes a lightning strike. NEWS: Real World Lightning Test for FADEC. http://www.fadec.com/News.html 8/2/02 The Lancair IV-P aircraft in which the Aerosance PowerLink=81 FADEC system i= s being tested received a real world lightning strike, in flight test approaching Mobile's Brookly Field the Saturday before Oshkosh. The strike occurred on half mile final at an altitude of approximately 500 feet. TCM test pilot, Philip Grice, said, " I saw the storm about two miles ahead at the far end of the runway but I was in the clear on final. I saw a bright flash and thought to myself that was pretty close but there was no other indication. The engine ran well throughout. It didn't miss a beat. I didn't realize we'd been hit until I got out and saw the small hole in the wing root and the static wick holder separation on the right wing tip. " After replacing a few "welded screws" and thoroughly inspecting the airframe Philip brought the airplane to Oshkosh for display. Aerosance president, Steve Smith remarked: "The PowerLink FADEC has been tested to lightning levels that far exceed those required even for composite aircraft so it was no real surprise that it performed flawlessly. It's just very unusual to get a strike in the flight test program where you can get data. We're very pleased but have not suggested to Phillip he try it again! Yet." The IV-P is on loan from Lancair to evaluate the high altitude performance of the turbo-charged FADEC controlled engine, a TSIO-550E. Engine testing has included successful operation to 30,000 feet.