The single most frightening hour of my life was spent in a line of shoulder to shoulder storms. The really big bang came when we'd been out of the last one for a few moments - it blew a 4" hole right through the wing, having gone around the fuel!
I later read a physics book about lightning. I then wished I hadn't. I gave myself a good talking to and got on with the next 30 years.
I feel for the crew of the 447.
When Sprites were in the news, I wondered immediately whether the whole core of a bolt was 'lasing'. There was more than sufficient energy, and the 'lens' of water droplets might have made a crude optical rod. However, recent research still does not give this idea any credence.
Lightning may have played a part in our creation, but what is certain is that we should have a comfortable distance between us an the nearest discharge - say, 1,000 miles . . . or be issued with Neutronium suits.
