Most airplanes that get you from here to there are designed to withstand all kind of fury from Mother Nature, including lightning strikes. Commercial planes have to meet all kind of weather-related requirements, but it looks like some new technology from Cessna could make it pretty easy to pass all the necessary tests.
The aircraft maker is developing some kind of a magical skin—or series of skins—to protect prototype planes from all kinds of bad stuff found high above the earth. NASA is eager to see what they can figure out, as they’re funding part of the project to create a new super futuristic airplane. They’re looking for something that can sip fuel, be whisper quiet, and not worry about whatever the weather is doing outside the cockpit. ]]>
