I counted at least 13 on a A319 on my way home today. They are about 6” long with a small bulb at the end.
Static dissipaters?
I counted at least 13 on a A319 on my way home today. They are about 6” long with a small bulb at the end.
Static dissipaters?
Excellent guess. The proper term is a static discharge wick.
Allright then. Thanks. It’s been bugging me a bit.
They are on all production planes that I’ve seen, but no helicopters. Any reason for this besides the lower airspeeds involved? Johnny LA?
I’ve seen them on helicopters, too - Hueys and Blackhawks, that is. Not on Robinsons, though, you’re right. I’d guess it’s because of lower airspeeds, too - an aircraft picks up a charge because of its velocity through the charged field, just like an electric generator, and a Robinson is a lot slower. Even so, troops rappelling down from a helicopter, or climbing a ladder up into one, are cautioned to let the rope/ladder touch the ground first before touching it or they’ll get zapped.
They’re almost ubiquitous on composite aircraft, that can’t easily conduct or dissipate charges through their skins as well as aluminum ones.
They’re there for the Gremlins to grab onto.