Can a plane take off in a thunderstorm?

There is a certain hierarchy of stupidity and foolishness in life, and taking off into a thunderstorm is pretty high on that list. The only reason to do something so desperate would be if the city you were in were about to be bombed within the next 30 minutes, and there was no other way out.

So, yes, you CAN take off in a thunderstorm. But make sure that your last will and testament is where your heirs can find it, and that your life insurance is paid up.

But _I_ wouldn't do that.