> Below is a message either of mine, or one that sounds very
> similar. So, I am unsure where you are going with this, in
> terms of other options that you are not mentioning in this
> e-mail. So, how do you propose I do it to mitigate this
> static issue. Don't misinterpret my "straight to the point"
> but I have been under a thunderstorm autocoupled to 200' and
> I am a bit lacking in my usual tact. Any help is kindly
> appreciated, but I did buy the tinned copper braid today, and
> after reading your message I don't know what to do with it.
>
> Reg
> Tony Renshaw
That would be braid dangling inside the tank, wired to electrical
ground? It won't do anything during refueling to suppress static
charges, since fuel is essentially nonconductive.
FAA is clear about the lightning hazard problem with composite A/C. The
amount of energy to ignite fuel is so low that a hazard exists with
relatively minor discharges, such as corona discharges and streamers,
they say. Lightning has the choice, if not both, of flowing in the
control system or along wiring, so terminating latter inside the tank is
not good at all. An encounter which may only take out something
electrical or stiffen up a rod-end bearing can be catastrophic.
Realistically, though, it's more of a problem for IFR flight.
I had an real encounter (alum airplane), in cloud on the last vector to
intercept the localizer for a 300-3/4 ILS approach; bright flash and
funny atmosphere inside the cabin. It did no airframe damage per later
inspection, but took out only xmit in the comms. ATC knows what to then
do, and it was interesting how the IFR rule book says you do certain
things in lost comm, but in that circumstance and in radar contact, they
really want you to do the obvious as the LOC needle begins to center.
Even if it would have been nice to first go somewhere to relax a while
after the strike, as if IMC, lost comm, no autopilot, and convective
weather made that even thinkable!
Regards,
Fred F.
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