PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Hindenburg Documentary 17th September 2007
Old 19th Sep 2007, 10:25
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GOLF_BRAVO_ZULU
 
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All aircraft in flight acquire a potential difference between Earth and themselves. That's why use of the earthing pole is very important during VERTREPs (Naval term for receiving stores as underslung loads on helicopters). Even dumping water ballast can generate a static electric charge; rather like a Van der Graaf generator where the water is the belt. Physics is boring and not very good television, though.
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