SAE ARP 5416A:2013 PDF Download

The standard SAE ARP 5416A:2013 is part of a series of documents that cover the interaction between aircraft and lightning. It specifically focuses on the testing methods for both direct effects and indirect system upset effects of lightning. The document provides guidance on how to conduct simulated lightning tests on aircraft and their associated systems.

It is important to note that this standard does not include design criteria nor does it determine which items should or should not be tested. The acceptable levels of damage and pass/fail criteria for qualification tests need to be approved by the relevant certification authority for each specific case. The test methods presented in this document are one means of meeting the test requirements of a certification plan, but not the only means.

Each test method provided in this standard follows a consistent format, including a description of the purpose of the test, the test object, the test setup, the test waveforms (voltage and/or current), measurements and data recording, test procedure, and data interpretation. The document offers guidance on selecting the appropriate tests and interpreting the test results.

It is acknowledged that natural lightning is a complex and variable phenomenon, and its interaction with different types of vehicles can manifest in various ways. Therefore, not every test described in the standard needs to be applied to every system requiring lightning verification tests. The document allows for flexibility in calling out specific aspects of the lightning environment for each particular program based on the vehicle's design, performance, and mission constraints.