---
kind: "section"
citation: "14 C.F.R. § 450.163"
title: "14"
number: "450.163"
heading: "Lightning hazard mitigation."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/14/450.163"
---

# §450.163. Lightning hazard mitigation.

- (a) **Lightning hazard mitigation.** An operator must—
  - (1) Establish flight commit criteria that mitigate the potential for a launch or reentry vehicle intercepting or initiating a direct lightning strike, or encountering a nearby discharge, using a means of compliance accepted by the Administrator; or
  - (2) Use a vehicle designed to protect safety-critical systems in the event of a direct lightning strike or nearby discharge.
- (b) **Application requirements.**
  - (1) An applicant electing to comply with [paragraph (a)(1)](#a-1) of this section must submit flight commit criteria that mitigate the potential for a launch or reentry vehicle intercepting or initiating a direct lightning strike, or encountering a nearby lightning discharge.
  - (2) An applicant electing to comply with [paragraph (a)(2)](#a-2) of this section must submit documentation providing evidence that the vehicle is designed to protect safety-critical systems against the effects of a direct lightning strike or nearby discharge.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 51 U.S.C. 50901-50923.

### Source

Source: Docket No. FAA-2019-0229, Amdt. 450-2, 85 FR 79719, Dec. 10, 202085 FR 79739, Dec. 10, 2020, unless otherwise noted.