Lightning protection course for airplanes
Online course of 300 hours in aircraft lightning protection: 6 modules covering lightning phenomenology, zoning and the standardised environment, direct-effects protection, fuel system protection, indirect effects and testing, with an assigned technical tutor.
Lightning protection course for airplanes — studying from South Africa
South Africa has a long-standing aerospace base, anchored by the Western Cape cluster around Cape Town and the Gauteng aerospace corridor near Johannesburg. Companies such as Denel Aerospace Systems, Aerosud and Airbus-linked suppliers in the Western Cape draw on local engineering talent. The South African Civil Aviation Authority oversees airworthiness and drone regulation, while the South African National Space Agency coordinates national space activity. Demand for skills in aircraft systems, unmanned aerial systems and satellite engineering continues to grow across both regions.
Fees for South Africa: R 14 900 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by the South African Council for Aeronautical and Engineering Professions or ECSA?
SEIUM is a private online institute and its qualifications are not official state degrees or accredited by a national body. In South Africa, professional registration is handled by bodies such as ECSA (Engineering Council of South Africa) and SACAP for built environment roles, and aviation licensing by the SACAA. Recognition of a private qualification is decided by the employer or the relevant body, so check directly with them before enrolling.
Would this qualification help me get work with aerospace or drone employers in South Africa?
Employers in South Africa's aerospace and drone sector, such as aircraft maintenance organisations, defence contractors and drone operators, usually weigh experience, licensing and university credentials heavily. A private online qualification can support your CV and show specialist knowledge, but it does not guarantee hiring or a particular role. Ask prospective employers whether they value the programme before you commit.
Can I manage the workload while working full time, and do I need to be fluent in English?
The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you need solid working English. Study is fully remote, so no student visa is needed to study from home. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, with an assigned technical tutor. Plan your weekly hours realistically, and ask whether employer sponsorship or instalment payment could help with fees.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the phenomenology of lightning strikes on aircraft.
Apply standardised zoning methods.
Design protection against direct effects.
Assess ignition risks in fuel systems.
Protect systems against indirect effects.
Plan verification and certification tests.
Interpret the regulations applicable to lightning protection.
Who it's for
- Aeronautical electromagnetic compatibility engineers looking to focus on aircraft lightning protection.
- Lightning protection engineers wanting to deepen their aircraft-specific expertise.
- Composite structures engineers who need to integrate lightning protection into their designs.
- Fuel systems engineers dealing with ignition prevention requirements.
- Certification engineers working on lightning compliance.
- High-voltage test engineers moving into aerospace testing.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the aeronautical sector.
What you'll work with
- SAE ARP5412B (aircraft lightning environment and related test waveforms)
- SAE ARP5414B (aircraft lightning zoning)
- SAE ARP5416A (aircraft lightning test methods)
- RTCA DO-160G (environmental conditions and test procedures for airborne equipment)
- CS 25.581 (EASA) (lightning protection of large aeroplanes)
- CS 25.954 (EASA) (fuel system lightning protection)
- EUROCAE ED-84A (aircraft lightning environment and related test waveforms)
- FAA AC 20-136B (protection of aircraft electrical/electronic systems against the indirect effects of lightning)
- CST Studio Suite
- Ansys HFSS
- EMA3D
- COMSOL Multiphysics
6 modules
1.1Charge formation in thunderclouds1.2Aircraft-initiated discharges1.3Leaders, return stroke and continuing current1.4Lightning current parameters1.5Strike frequency in commercial aviation1.6Entry and exit points1.7Lightning channel sweeping1.8Direct and indirect effects1.9Risk in composite aircraft1.10Case study: analysis of a lightning strike report
2.1Lightning strike zones2.2Aircraft zoning methods2.3Standardised current waveforms2.4Components A, B, C and D2.5Voltage waveforms2.6Indirect-effects environment2.7Cable-induced waveforms2.8Test levels and transients2.9Applicable certification requirements2.10Workshop: zoning a regional aircraft
3.1Conductivity of metallic structures3.2Metal meshes in composites3.3Radome protection with diverter strips3.4Bonding and electrical continuity3.5Edge and fastener protection3.6Arc and spark damage at fasteners3.7Design of fittings and joints3.8Helicopter blade protection3.9Repair of composite protection3.10Practical exercise: protecting a carbon-fibre panel
4.1Ignition risks in fuel tanks4.2Sparking at fasteners and joints4.3Sealing and fastener caps4.4Fuel tank inerting4.5Ignition prevention requirements4.6Ignition source analysis4.7Maintenance of critical design configuration control limitations4.8Lessons from historical accidents4.9Composite fuel tank design4.10Case study: ignition analysis of a wing fuel tank
5.1Wiring coupling and interference5.2Shielding and grounding connections5.3Protection of avionics equipment5.4Transient suppressors5.5Equipment susceptibility levels5.6Laboratory direct-effects testing5.7Aircraft-level indirect-effects testing5.8Electromagnetic lightning simulation5.9Lightning certification plan5.10Lab: simulation of induced currents in a cable harness
6.1Description of the study aircraft6.2Proposed aircraft zoning6.3Applicable lightning environment6.4Design of direct-effects protection6.5Fuel system protection6.6Indirect-effects protection6.7Verification test plan6.8Project conclusions6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is CST Studio Suite, Ansys HFSS, EMA3D and COMSOL Multiphysics, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: lightning zoning of an aircraft, simulation of induced currents and planning of certification tests. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final integrative project.
Standards covered: SAE ARP5412B, SAE ARP5414B, SAE ARP5416A, RTCA DO-160G, CS 25.581 (EASA), CS 25.954 (EASA), EUROCAE ED-84A, FAA AC 20-136B.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer able to run the programme's software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with CST Studio Suite, Ansys HFSS, EMA3D and COMSOL Multiphysics, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required; you need an internet connection, a computer able to run the programme's software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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