Lightning

Most measurements put lightning in the range of 5000 to 20,000 amps, but 1971s strike to the Apollo 15 launch vehicle was measured at 100,000 amperes.

Key Takeaways:

• Estimate lightning distance by dividing the seconds between a flash and its thunder by five, and apply the "30/30 rule": cease outdoor activity when lightning is within six miles (30-second delay) and wait 30 minutes after the last strike within six miles to resume.
• Pilots should stay VFR, avoid the interior of cumulonimbus clouds, and utilize all available weather products to track lightning, allowing for avoidance from a safe distance.
• On the ground, avoid general operations and specifically refrain from fueling an aircraft if lightning is detected within three to five miles.

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