The physical model of the initiation of lightning flashes by aircraft in thunderstorms is presented. The model is based on the 'bi-directional uncharged leader' concept by Kasemir, and is verified with airborne data from lightning strikes to an instrumented airplane (NASA F-106B and FAA CV-580). The characteristics of electromagnetic processes during lightning attachment are identified by comparison with those studied in natural flashes, those triggered by wire trailing rockets, and laboratory discharges. A triggered flash starts with either a negative corona or a positive leader that depends on the ambient electric field vector and the airplane form factor. The positive leader with continuous current that increases with time is followed in a few milliseconds by the negative stepped leader with current pulses of a few kA. The two leaders develop in space simultaneously and bi-directionally from the oppositely charged extremities of the airplane.


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    Title :

    Lightning initiation on aircraft in thunderstorms


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    1988-01-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English







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