14 CFR § 450.163 - Lightning hazard mitigation.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t14/s450.163"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "14 CFR § 450.163 - Lightning hazard mitigation."
title_number: 14
title_name: "Aeronautics and Space"
section_number: "450.163"
section_name: "Lightning hazard mitigation."
chapter_name: "COMMERCIAL SPACE TRANSPORTATION, FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
subchapter_number: "C"
subchapter_name: "LICENSING"
part_number: "450"
part_name: "LAUNCH AND REENTRY LICENSE REQUIREMENTS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "51 U.S.C. 50901-50923."
regulatory_source: "Docket No. FAA-2019-0229, Amdt. 450-2, 85 FR 79719, Dec. 10, 202085 FR 79739, Dec. 10, 2020, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "450"
---


# 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) 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) 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.