Static Wicks

[CO_Skymaster]

I've flown aircraft with and without the static wicks and I can't say if I have every had any problems with the radios in either case. My skymaster does not have them, but I might have them installed. So, my question is, has anyone notice a large improvement with communications once they were installed?

Karl

[skymstr02]

Unless you bond the control surfaces to the airframe, your static wicks won't be too effective.

[CO_Skymaster]

Thanks,

I'll ensure my A&P bonds them to the control surfaces.

Karl

[WebMaster]

What he said, Karl, was that you attach the static wicks to the control surfaces, but if the control surfaces aren't bonded to the actual airframe, the static wicks are worthless. Typically, there are some bearings and things that can electrically isolate the actual control surfaces from the airframe. A way to test this is to connect a lead from a continuity tester to the static wick, and another lead to part of the exposed firewall. If there is no continuity, then you need to establish a bond, a ground strap if you will, to the control surface connecting it to the airframe.

It's a simple test, won't take more than a couple of minutes, and helps to establish that static wicks are doing their job. When your IA installs the static wicks, he should test that they are in fact working.