An Introduction to Lightning Protection for Aircraft

As plant manager for Astroseal Products, John Sulzbach of Killingworth, CT, oversees the production of lightning protection products for aerospace industry clients. John Sulzbach of Killingworth, CT, has served in this role for more than seven years and draws on an in-depth knowledge of the technology involved in lightning protection. Although every craft in an airline's fleet is struck by lightning an average of once per year, it has been more than 40 years since a strike has caused a plane to crash. In fact, most strikes happen without passengers ever experiencing any ill effects, thanks to a variety of conductive structures that protect both the body of the plane and its key electronic equipment. On the outside of the craft, a network of copper or aluminum mesh catches the current of a lightning strike and spreads it thinly enough that it cannot do significant damage. At the same time, this mesh also restricts the electricity to the exterior of the craft. Where the craft contains key electronic equipment, such as flight control and navigation systems, manufacturers install lightning diverters. These structures, typically thin strips of metal, prevent electricity from penetrating the carbon fiber bodies of aircraft and damaging the equipment inside. Meanwhile, the electronic equipment itself contains surge protection and grounding systems to protect against excess current.