Prongs on wing question

[Too Short]

Hope I'm in the right forum for this...

Having sat looking out of the window for hours on planes I have always wondered what the collection of little antenna like things are towards the end and at the back of the wings - there's usually about 5 or 6 of them and they look like little radio aeriels... what do they do?

TS

[codpiece face]

I think you are talking about the static dishargers, they are protection from lightning strikes allowing an exit from the aircraft of the strike.

[BOAC]

More commonly known as static wicks. (http://www.physlink.com/Education/AskExperts/ae568.cfm)

[Oshkosh George]

A link from BOAC's link,says they are NOT for lightning protection,but merely static electricity. Look here--------------

http://www.b737.org.uk/wingtips.htm

[Too Short]

Thanks all - :)

Now I'm a little wiser...

TS