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Illustrated technical information covering Vol 2 Over 800 multi-choice systems questions Study notes and technical information Close up photos of internal and external components A compilation of links to major 737 news stories with a downloadable archive Illustrated history and description of all variants of 737 Detailed tech specs of every series of 737 Databases and reports of all the major 737 accidents & incidents General flightdeck views of each generation of 737's Description & news reports of Advanced Blended Winglets Press reports of orders and deliveries Articles from the press and official sources following the troubled history of the rudder PCU Details about 737 production methods A compilation of links to other sites with useful 737 content Get the book of the website A quick concise overview of the pages on this site

This photograph shows damage caused by a lightning strike. These are three of the 5 entry holes, about 1 - 2 cms in diameter, there will also be some exit holes elsewhere on the airframe.

Although you are quite safe inside the aircraft when lightning strikes as the electricity is conducted away by the aircraft skin, it is necessary to check the compasses and radios immediately and then have the aircraft checked on the ground by an engineer.

Lightning is always located in the vicinity of CB's but is particularly likely when St Elmo's fire is observed which is defined as "Visible evidence of electrical discharge at a tolerably slow rate, this is not a problem, does not cause any form of damage, and in fact serves in a positive sense as a warning that the environment is electrified, and lightning may possibly occur.".

If you do see St Elmo's fire then you should take the usual precautions for both lightening and turbulence ie Cockpit lighting up, Start switches to FLT and fly at Turbulence speed (M074/M0.76).
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Updated 17 July 08

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