Return-Path: Received: from pop3.olsusa.com ([63.150.212.2] verified) by logan.com (CommuniGate Pro SMTP 3.5b8) with ESMTP id 952225 for rob@logan.com; Fri, 09 Nov 2001 10:18:06 -0500 Received: from smtp005pub.verizon.net ([206.46.170.184]) by pop3.olsusa.com (Post.Office MTA v3.5.3 release 223 ID# 0-71866U8000L800S0V35) with ESMTP id com for ; Fri, 9 Nov 2001 08:41:23 -0500 Received: from GCasey (calnet31-66.gtecablemodem.com [207.175.254.66]) by smtp005pub.verizon.net with SMTP for ; id fA9DsBW04633 Fri, 9 Nov 2001 07:54:11 -0600 (CST) Reply-To: Reply-To: lancair.list@olsusa.com From: "Gary Casey" To: Subject: static discharge Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2001 05:53:35 -0800 Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Importance: Normal In-Reply-To: <20011109053324.AAA17186@pop3.olsusa.com> X-Mailing-List: lancair.list@olsusa.com <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> << Lancair Builders' Mail List >> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >> A couple of random questions - After reading this you may conclude that I should spend more time building and less time thinking, I suppose... I have an ES project (epoxy/glass structure, epoxy/graphite ailerons and elevator). 1. The main gear is not connected to anything but glass fiber - non conductive. The battery(s) will be in the back, so I was thinking about grounding the steel gear legs to the ground wire. Is there any other use for the gear legs? Antenna? Back in Iowa it was said that we used every part of the pig but the squeal, so I thought there must be some use for these big steel things - besides holding the plane up, of course. The plane will have a steel step, also glassed in - com antenna?? It sort of resembles a bent whip antenna 29 inches long - about the right length, isn't it? 2. I wonder if the control rods should also be grounded to prevent static buidup from surprising the pilot. 3. Static discharge wicks on the epoxy/graphite (conductive) control surfaces? I was thinking about running the ground wire from the battery out the trailing edge of the wing, connecting jumpers across the aileron hinges along the way (the hinges aren't electrically attached to the skin, so something has to be added there). There was a IV that had a lightning strike recently - if faired pretty well, but it has a conductive fuselage and wings. It ended up with damaged but not welded rudder hinges, so you could say it survived okay. Naturally, adding static discharge capability doesn't prevent a lightning strike, but it may help. One thing that bothers me is that the fuel tank vent line is metal and it could maybe arc to the fuel level sender and possibly ruin one's day. Anybody out there with any experience? Knowledge? Suggestions? Comments? Gary Casey ES project, wings complete >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> LML website: http://members.olsusa.com/mkaye/maillist.html LML Builders' Bookstore: http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair Please remember that purchases from the Builders' Bookstore assist with the management of the LML. Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>