SAE ARP 5416 Aircraft Lightning Tests

SAE ARP 5416 Provides test techniques for simulated lightning testing of aircraft and related systems. The test method is one of a set that covers the entire spectrum of lightning and aircraft interaction. This test method aims to explain how to perform lightning direct impact tests and indirect system disturbance effects tests. DO-160/ED-14 covers indirect effects, deterioration, and damage tolerance testing for individual equipment items.

SAE ARP 5416 presents test techniques for simulated lightning testing of aircraft and related systems. In the test method, it does not include the design criteria and does not specify which items should or should not be tested.

Acceptable damage levels and/or pass/fail criteria for proficiency tests must be approved by the relevant conformity assessment authority for each particular case. When lightning tests are part of a certification plan, the test methods described here are acceptable, although not the only way to meet the certification plan's testing requirements.

Each test method is specified in a uniform format describing the test purpose, test object, test setup, test waveforms (voltage and/or current), measurements and data logging, test procedure, and data interpretation. Guidance is provided on how to select the appropriate test or test series and how test results can be evaluated.

Natural lightning is a complex and variable phenomenon, and its interaction with different types of vehicles can manifest in many different ways. Not every test described here is intended to be applied to every system that requires lightning validation tests. SAE ARP 5416 is written so that certain aspects of the environment can be invoked for each specific program determined by vehicle design, performance, and mission constraints.

EUROLAB Laboratory performs SAE ARP 5416 tests accredited in its laboratory.