What happens to an aeroplane when it is struck by lightening? Where does the electricity discharge to? Why are the instruments on the plane not distroyed by the energy strike?

Thanks

Planes are struck by lightning all the time but are unaffected by it. Planes are made of aluminium which, as you know, acts as a great conductor of electricity. This means when the plane is struck the electricity travels around the outside of the plane's skin then disappears into the air.

In addition aircraft have built in safety features to prevent lightning strikes from interferring with the operation of the plane. This includes protection from sparks so fuel is not ignited and insulated electronics so prevent damage to them or interferring with readings etc.

Hi

Thanks for your comments but if the plain is struck by lightening does the planr then remain charged until it lands or will the built but charde disipate back into the clouds?

i would imagine that the skin of the aircraft acts as a Faraday cage in the same way that the body of a car does.

Correct but it is interesting where the surplus charge goes on a plane when it lands? Is there an earth?

I get a shock off my car from the charge build up.

if an airplane is hit by lightning in flight then the lightning bolt will continue on its way to the ground after it has struck the plane.

interestingly while the skin of the aircraft acting as a faraday cage prevents the lightning from entering the aircraft, Ball lightning has been seen inside the aircraft.

Ball lightning can last for minutes and can pass through objects without efecting them.

When planes are being re-fuled, they attatch an earth line to it and the fule tank as a large statick charge is built up from the fule flowing through the line.