Proposed Lightning Related Launch Rules Rule B

• B. Do not launch if the planned flight path will carry the vehicle:

• 1) through cumulus clouds with tops higher than the +5°C level; or

• 2) through or within 5 nm of cumulus clouds with tops higher than the -10°C level; or

• 3) through or within 10 nm of cumulus clouds with tops higher than the -20°C level; or

• 4) through or within 10 nm of the nearest edge of any cumulonimbus or thunderstorm cloud including its associated anvil.

• Relative to B1: A B1 cloud with tops between +5° and -5°C level may be penetrated provided the cloud's maximum reflectivity does not exceed 18 dBz and the field mill readings within 5 nm of the cloud -- and with at least one working field mill within 3 nm of the cloud -- have remained between -100 V/m and +1 kV/m for the preceding 15 min.

• Cumulonimbus Cloud: Any convective cloud which exceeds the -20°C temperature level.

• Anvil: Stratiform or fibrous cloud produced by the upper level outflow from thunderstorms or convective clouds. Anvil debris does not meet the definition if it is optically transparent.

Notes: