Comparative analysis for inception of positive connecting leader from a cruising and grounded aircraft

Lightning protection is imperative even for aircraft. Most of the lightning strikes on aircraft are initiated by the development of the long connecting positive and negative leaders from the aircraft. Therefore, the identification of possible leader inception locations on aircraft is the first step towards the zoning of the aircraft. The Rolling Sphere Method (RSM) is routinely employed to identify the attachment points. However, originally being developed for lightning protection of grounded objects, RSM has several limitations when attempted on aircraft. Therefore, this work intends to study the salient aspects of lightning attachment to a flying aircraft and compare it with a grounded aircraft at zero potential. This will help to point out possible constraints on employing RSM for aircraft.