Project Title:

Lightning Protection Technology for Smaller General Aviation Aircraft

03.02-8533
NAS1-19010
Lightning Protection Technology for Smaller
	General Aviation Aircraft
Stoddard-Hamilton Aircraft, Inc.
	18701 58th Avenue, N.E.
	Arlington, WA 98223
		J. A. Plumer
(206-435-8533)

Abstract:

	Lightning protection technology for general-aviation aircraft employing composite
materials recently achieved FAA type certification under Part 23 regulations. This
may make it possible to engineer a cost-effective protection method for small, general-aviation
aircraft constructed of composite materials and for their digital avionics. The approach
is to evolve a prediction technique which can be used to design a lightning protection
system for the Glasair, a factory-built, aircraft kit. Produced by Stoddard-Hamilton
Aircraft, Inc., about 1000 kits have been sold. The goal will be to provide a design
that will, in the event of a lightning strike, protect the structure from catastrophic
failure, protect the occupants from physiological damage, and prevent a fuel system
fire.

Potential Commercial Application:

Potential Commercial Applications: The lightning protection method has commercial
prospects for factory-produced aircraft kits, for remotely piloted aircraft, for
high-performance gliders, and new general-aviation aircraft constructed of composite
materials.