Bud-- wrote:
NEVER fly in an airplane. They seldom drag an earthing chain while
flying, leaving their avionics totally exposed to lightning. (I'm sure
there is a major coverup of the frequent plane crashes.)

This discussion was completely about terrestrial protection. But
same principles - conducting lightning to the earth ground (or outgoing
connection) also apply to planes. Aircraft designers have it far more
complex. Unlike a terrestrial building, a single point earth ground
can be anywhere. They must design everything in terms of layers -
layers of earthing - which is well beyond the scope of this discussion.
For example, the earth ground this time in this picture is quite
obvious: plane's tail:
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/pub/ltg/plane_ltg.gif

Next time the outgoing transient path could be anywhere else.
Planes are struck routinely without damage. Same principles that also
define the 'whole house' protector so effective - conducting lightning
in paths that are not destructive. Concepts of equipotential and
conductivity even apply to airplanes. Same concept that must be
applied with greater care due to transients from and to more
directions.

Review that famous picture. Plane conducted direct lightning strike;
no problem.