ljswain2 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

didn't look like he was flying IN a thundestorm

xcaliber137 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

I'll be honest, I have no idea. I highly doubt it, though. A bird, like a pilot, would have to rely heavily on its sense of sight to stay properly oriented and that can't happen in a cloud without instrumentation.

WWERULEZ1000 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

do birds (not planes but birds) fly into clouds?

xcaliber137 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

Usually, not much. Lightning enters somewhere, usually exits near the tail. Couple of scorch marks at those points. Even composite aircraft have an embedded wire mesh to keep the charge going around the airframe rather than through it. On a bad day, you lose an electrical component. On a really bad day, ball lightning desynchronized the alternators and fries a few more electronics while taking a larger chunk out of the exit point. Really bad days are extremely rare though.

kbeano7 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

wat would happen if a plane got hit by lightning? I.E. (777)?

xcaliber137 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

Totally, wouldn't be doing it without the ground support and airborne equipment we fly with.

AreaQNH870 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

Funny, this is probably one of the first instances where I've felt the soundtrack to be suiting.Ballsy flying xcaliber137 - but I guess you'd be keeping your distance without the radar.

superman7830 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

OK...I LOVE thunderstorms...AND love airplanes - BIG airplanes, but even I'd rather not fly into a thunderstorm in a prop plane.

DIAMONDBIRD4 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

Man....no kidding. Going from 3,000 to 6,000, to 9..then back to 3 in a serious storm draft?!?! In a C402B? Watch your headset! Nice stuff.

MDHmodder (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

if this guy was alive during the 70s he hated the song "stayin alive"