SAE ARP Lightning Documents: What Engineers Need to Know

Every SAE ARP lightning document is a key piece of the puzzle for radome design engineers.

This guidance material is meant to help designers comply with FAA regulations and install adequate lightning protection. The FAA states that all aircraft must have lightning protection to prevent against the “catastrophic” effects from lightning strikes.

In this article, we’ll break down the SAE documents and help you understand what you need and what you don’t.

Note: This guide to SAE documents was created as a helpful reference; we are not affiliated with the SAE and do not receive any commission on the sale of their documents.

SAE ARP 5414B: Aircraft Lightning Zone

The SAE ARP5414B – Aircraft Lightning Zone – was last revised in December of 2018.
This document shows the different aircraft lightning zones along with guidance in protecting them from strikes.

1. Applicable To: Parts 23, 25, 27 and 29 aircraft.
2. Current Revision? Yes
3. Most Recent Revision Date: 12-05-2018
4. Free to Download? No

Full Document: SAE ARP5414B document is found here.

Why Do You Need The SAE ARP 5414B Document?

For radome design engineers who need to install lightning protection to maintain FAA compliance, this guidance material is a must. Watch the short video below for information about what’s inside 5414B.

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Learn More About Aircraft Lightning Zones Below

There is a lot to know when it comes to lightning zoning, and we’ve created our own diagrams to help simplify the process. Color coding makes lightning zones a lot easier to identify and understand.

For a more in-depth explanation of aircraft lightning zones, watch the short video below–we help break it down for you.

If you found this video helpful, be sure to check out our podcast--we go in-depth on all sorts of engineering topics.

SAE ARP 5412B – Aircraft Lightning Test and Related Waveforms

The SAE ARP5412B – Aircraft Lightning Test and Related Waveforms – was last revised in January of 2013.

This document provides data on electrical waveforms that are used to show compliance with lightning protection standards. This document should be used with ARP5414B and ARP5416A to ensure adequate lightning protection.

Full Document: SAE ARP5412B document is found here.

1. Applicable To: Lightning Testing Standards
2. Current Revision? Yes
3. Most Recent Revision Date: 1-11-2013
4. Free to Download? No

Learn More About SAE ARP 5412B

Does a radome design engineer need to purchase this document as well? Getting lightning diverter strips, metal bars, and other protection methods properly installed on the radome is critical. Watch below for specifics on 5412B.

Just remember that these SAE documents can be very dense–if you need help wading through them, give us a call.

SAE ARP 5416A – Lightning Test Methods

The SAE ARP5416A – Lightning Test Methods – was last revised in January of 2013.
This document provides data on lightning testing methods, standards and best practices. It also provides guidance on which items should and should not be tested.

1. Applicable To: Lightning Testing Standards
2. Current Revision? Yes
3. Most Recent Revision Date: 1-07-2013
4. Free to Download? No

Full Document: SAE ARP5416A is found here.

Learn More Below About Document 5416A

In this short video by lightning protection expert and FAA Designated Engineer Representative (DER) Allen Hall, he discusses 5416A and what’s important to know about this guidance material.

Full Document: SAE ARP5416A is found here.

With years of experience, Allen Hall of Weather Guard Lightning Tech is here to make sure radome engineers get the help they need to protect their designs from the catastrophic effects of lightning.

If you’re looking for parts for your radome, be sure to check out our proprietary StrikeTape lightning diverter strips.

Below are more helpful resources:

More Resources for FAA and EASA Lightning Protection Regulation Compliance

• FAA 25.581: How to Comply (detailed article with video presentation)
• Lightning Protection for Weather Nose Radomes
• Struck Podcast EP3: SAE Documents Explained [iTunes]
  • Struck Podcast EP3 YouTube Video Version
• Contact us if you need more design help

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Thanks for reading! – The Weather Guard Team