SurClaro Flight Simulator Resources

7e7guy · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 7:57 pm Post subject: Ever been struck by lightning?

I was just wondering if it is possible to be struck by lightning in FS5-X. There are a couple thousand users here at these forums, and there is about a one in a million chance of getting struck by lightning.
Just one of those I wonder if fs can... type of topics.
So, if anybody has a comment on this subject, I'm pretty interested.

mel wilson · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 8:54 pm Post subject:

I got struck twice, and the second time was fatal.... 8O

Mel.

7e7guy · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 9:02 pm Post subject:

Wow? I didn't think it was possible. whats it sound like? :P by the way, you mean in fs right :lol:

Haun · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 9:27 pm Post subject:

no really he got struck twice and the second time he died. hes 'thuper serial! lol i have seen pictures of FS planes getting struck, but im not sure if they are real... wonder what happens...

7e7guy · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 9:55 pm Post subject:

hehe, just checking. but you know, if your bored sitting at your computer, go ahead and post up some of those pictures. :P

skipperdan · Joined: 10 Aug 2003 Posts: 1217 Location: Florida

The aircraft that I flew on one year ago was struck by lightning when I flew from Tampa to Philadelphia. There was a medium volume pop noise and the lights flashed briefly. All of the women screamed. However, none of the staff made an annoucement. After about 10 minutes, I asked the stewart if that was lightning. He calmly replied, "I think so."

I am still trying to figure out what is a FX5-X ????????? 8) 8)

PS: I am going to fly from Tampa to Philadelphia in four days. I hope that we have a better flight this time.
.
.

mel wilson · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 10:06 pm Post subject:

Copy of a pic I entered in the screenshot compo here on Surclaro

Mel.

7e7guy · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 10:36 pm Post subject:

Pretty cool stuff.
Oh yeah, in case anyone was struck by lighning in flight sim, FS5, all the way to FSX.
LOL, good luck I'm crossing my fingers for good weather for you!

Nice pic.

Aparently some of the newer planes coming out like the A380, which is I belive 20% carbon fibre and the 787, which I think is 50% carbon fiber can't withstand a lightning strike, it will severly damage the fuselage and where the lightning hit the plane could be sheared off depending on how much carbon fibre was used and how powerful the lightning bolt was. It's happened before on a super puma helicopter, it had to ditch in the north sea.

Cat1 · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 1:15 am Post subject:

7e7guy wrote: Aparently some of the newer planes coming out like the A380, which is I belive 20% carbon fibre and the 787, which I think is 50% carbon fiber can't withstand a lightning strike, it will severely damage the fuselage and where the lightning hit the plane could be sheared off depending on how much carbon fibre was used and how powerful the lightning bolt was.

Good thing that is totally incorrect...
There are quite specific FAA and JAA mandates in place that deal with an aircraft's ability to channel a lightning strike. But to say an airframe can't withstand a strike is totally incorrect, if it was true the airframe wouldn't be flying. :roll:

harkonnen · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 1:57 am Post subject:

I've never, ever heard mention of a lightning strike in FS....but I could be wrong. My guess is that the lightning is purely for looks. Anyone know different? Geez, ya know, now I'm wondering, they can simulate everything else weather..thermals, wind, and who knows what else...maybe there is a big fluctuation in the surrounding air at the lightning space.

Nahhhhh...it's just for looks.

Right?

Haun · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 2:54 am Post subject:

who knows....

tropicalfish · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 866

Cat1 wrote: 7e7guy wrote: Aparently some of the newer planes coming out like the A380, which is I belive 20% carbon fibre and the 787, which I think is 50% carbon fiber can't withstand a lightning strike, it will severely damage the fuselage and where the lightning hit the plane could be sheared off depending on how much carbon fibre was used and how powerful the lightning bolt was.

Good thing that is totally incorrect...
There are quite specific FAA and JAA mandates in place that deal with an aircraft's ability to channel a lightning strike. But to say an airframe can't withstand a strike is totally incorrect, if it was true the airframe wouldn't be flying. :roll:
I heard that something like copper is being run through the carbon fiber to distribute the lightning shock and prevent severe damage...
No citation here, just hearsay.

rd · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 4:52 am Post subject:

Ask, and you shall receive....

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2002844619_boeing05.html

The main airframe is 99% carbon fiber, and they will use a fine metal mesh for spreading out the energy of a lightening strike.

Read it all, as it is very interesting. Also note the date of the article.

RD

mel wilson · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 8:42 am Post subject:

I seem to remember something about the Faraday Cage effect.....!

But I also remember it having to be earthed....... So, how long would the earth cable need to be from the Aircraft to the ground..... :lol: Assuming it's long haul... :wink:

Mel.

7e7guy · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 10:49 am Post subject:

rd wrote:
The main airframe is 99% carbon fiber, and they will use a fine metal mesh for spreading out the energy of a lightening strike.

RD

Alright, I knew they had to be doing something to stop catastrophy.
I spent almost the whole night trying to figure out how the 787 would deal with lightning, one wire wouldn't do it if it were banking.. they couldn't cover the wholpelane in wires... wow RD! your a mind reader!

tropicalfish wrote:
I heard that something like copper is being run through the carbon fiber to distribute the lightning shock and prevent severe damage

there's another good reason. I think they now do that on most helicopters.
Cat1 wrote:
Good thing that is totally incorrect...
There are quite specific FAA and JAA mandates in place that deal with an aircraft's

I'm just saying as I was told.