How Can an Aircraft Become Electrically Charged While Flying Through the Air?

Aircraft can become electrically charged while flying in the air, but this charge can be dispersed by the aircraft’s composite parts. In fact, a large portion of the aircraft’s body is covered in paint. The paint resists ultraviolet rays and produces more static electricity than the bare metal. Also, as the aircraft’s body surfaces rub against the air, more electrons are captured and discharged.

One of the best ways to test whether an aircraft can become electrically charged while flying through the air is to simulate lightning. To do this, aircrafts should be outfitted with a control system, consisting of sensors that monitor the electric field of the atmosphere and emit current to the aircraft. This system would be powered by a small amount of electricity – much lower than that of a standard light bulb.

Another way to prevent aircraft from becoming electrically charged is to install static wicks on the aircraft. Static wicks are devices attached to airplane surfaces and are composed of hundreds of individual carbon fibers wrapped into a cylindrical shape. They are typically mounted on the trailing edges of the aircraft’s control surfaces, wingtips, and vertical stabilizer. There are two types of static dischargers: trailing edge dischargers and tip dischargers. The latter is smaller than the trailing edge dischargers.

Another way that an aircraft can become electrically charged as it flies is through a corona discharge. A corona discharge is an electrical discharge that can be audible or degrade the performance of electronic circuits. It can also cause radio interference.