PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - How do you earth planes in flight?
View Single Post
Old 18th May 2010 | 02:57
  #24 (permalink)  
Dan Winterland
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,777
Likes: 9
From: Blighty
Aircraft tyres tend to be conductive to ensure any static potential is discharged on touchdown. An old British type I used to fly actually had a copper mesh moulded into the nosewheels and you could see bit's of copper glinting in the sunlight sometimes. These days they put something in the rubber which makes the earth.

Helicopters can generate massive static potentials. If you're in the unfortunate position of having to be winched in a rescue, you may notice the winchman has an earthing lead danging from his harness. He will touch that on the surface before touching either the sea/ground or you. It's very important to let that happen - otherwise there may be a big flash and a yelp! If you're in water, it's you who will take the shock so don't be too enthusiastic to be rescued! With other rescue systems where they use either a strop or a basket, the crew will dip it in the water before it comes near you.
Dan Winterland is offline  
Reply