Lightning activity is more continental than oceanic, with
continental updrafts at 50 m/s producing thunderclouds
compared to the 10 m/s updrafts over the ocean [5]. Moreover,
intense lightning activity is seen to prefer dry climates (e.g.
Africa) rather than wet climates (e.g. South America),
although both regions may be close to the earth's equator.
Surface temperature is seen to be a key to driving lightning
activity. Thus, in light of the severity of thunder storms caused
by the impact of global warming, it is imperative that the
lightning impact on aircraft be studied in order to devise
systems to mitigate lightning threats to aircrafts, and to
improve lightning performances of new types of aircraft.