Lighting test method and apparatus

An apparatus and method for simulating a lightning strike on a test specimen without causing contaminants to be deposited on the test specimen. The apparatus includes an electrode and an ionizing element electrically coupled thereto. The ionizing element has a substrate coated with an ionizing material and extends between the electrode and an outer surface of a test specimen so as to define an air gap therebetween. The ionizing element is coupled at a first end to the electrode and has a distal or free end which extends toward the test specimen for carrying an electrical test charge thereto. The test charge is developed by a generator electrically coupled to the electrode. The ionizing element is utilized to develop a long arc channel between the electrode and the outer surface of the test specimen. The ionizing element serves to transmit the electrical test charge to the test specimen without depositing contaminants on the test specimen while closely simulating a natural lightning strike.