NavList:
A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
From: Frank Atkins
Date: 2015 Mar 7, 21:19 -0800
Bob G,
I have seen the results of lightning strikes on aircraft and have never known one take out all systems. Not saying it cannot happen. Temporary radio failure and the compass performing aerobatics was the norm.
Sometimes airframe damage occurs where the strike exits in the way of holes and burning.
For interest I have had to strip propellor reduction gearboxes for inspection following lightning strikes on the prop as the current can damage gear faces and bearings as the charge transits the gearbox through the airframe to the discharge probes.
It goes without saying all of the above gets the pilots undivided attention as it is played out.
I feel a couple of cheap GPS units and a plentiful supply of top grade batteries would see the average yachtie out of trouble. The batteries should last a long time as one would have little need to turn the GPS on except for a few minutes each day whilst in the middle of the ocean.
Frank A.
33.53S 121.53E Sun 1314 Local
