Static Wicks

[Seth]

After reading Aviation Comsumers Article on Static Wicks, I'm curious:

I know some Mooney's have them. Do we know which models?

 

Do they make a difference?

 

Any personal stories?

 

 

*Update - reason for my questions are not so much radio and static noise (which I am unsure of occurring or not in my airplane), but seeing that my Missile flies at Ovation speeds, I'm curious if there would be a benefit, and from the article, it sounds as if that is the case.  

 

Thanks!

 

-Seth

[Openwheeler3]

Haven't read the article. What does it discuss (I don't have a subscription)? My 84 K has them. 

[carusoam]

They break, they get replaced...

can't tell if they work or not.

Most modern Mooneys have them.  They are important for elimination of static electricity that builds up during flight.

Essentially they are an improved method of grounding the plane while flying.  This should improve the clarity of all radio reception including the various nav radios.

avoiding static noise will always be beneficial.

certain weather events can increase or decrease static.  Flying through dry snow should really drive up the static...

Do you remember static electricity experiments done in your early school days.   Rubbing different materials on a glass rod?

some things generate static on your painted aluminum rod better than others...

Other things eliminate static from the same painted aluminum rod. Like static eliminators...?

The little devices are expensive, and break easily.  I wouldn't want to fly in IMC without having them.

Never fly a glass plane in wooly Clouds without them?...

PP ideas, not an electronics technician...

Best regards,

-a-

[Seth]

2 hours ago, Openwheeler3 said:

Haven't read the article. What does it discuss (I don't have a subscription)? My 84 K has them. 

Your K is a 1984.  Do you know if your static wicks were added before or after your conversion to the Rocket?  

Have you every had to fix or repair yours?

 

-Seth

[Seth]

So now we know the R and K have them.  I'm sure the TN as well (and the U and V).  

Any J airframes with them?

Anyone know the cost to have one added?  Replaced?  Approximately?

Do you put them on both sides?  One side?

 

-Seth

[carusoam]

The base of the device is held in place using a pair of rivets.  The base is a threaded hole.  The devices are threaded into the matching hole.

The devices are somewhat brittle, making walking into one twice as annoying as can be.

it probably has an STC with a layout and installation drawing for proper placement.

aka static wicks or static dischargers....

only a hint...   

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/el/staticdischargers.html

Ask your mechanic regarding installation details...

Best regards,

-a-

[Oldguy]

1 hour ago, Seth said:

So now we know the R and K have them.  I'm sure the TN as well (and the U and V).  

Any J airframes with them?

Anyone know the cost to have one added?  Replaced?  Approximately?

Do you put them on both sides?  One side?

 

-Seth

My 84 J has static wicks - 2 on each aileron and each side of the elevator and 2 on the rudder. I can see in the logs where some have been replaced, but never where they were initially installed.

Disclaimer: I know my plane was used to for 15+ years as the Goodrich Avionics Systems demo plane, so it would make sense to have them in place and does not really indicate they came from the factory.

[PR474]

1 hour ago, Seth said:

So now we know the R and K have them.  I'm sure the TN as well (and the U and V).  

Any J airframes with them?

Anyone know the cost to have one added?  Replaced?  Approximately?

Do you put them on both sides?  One side?

 

-Seth

I have a 1992 J and it has them. One got broken off at the last annual and it cost about $100 for one from LASAR.

[ArtVandelay]

I don't have them on my 78J and have never gotten a shock, one of these days I'll put a voltage meter on it to see if it's carrying a charge.

[Openwheeler3]

2 hours ago, Seth said:

Your K is a 1984.  Do you know if your static wicks were added before or after your conversion to the Rocket?  

Have you every had to fix or repair yours?

 

-Seth

I don't know for sure but I have not seen any log entries indicating installation after the plane was certified in 1984. One broke off on my right aileron, but I haven't fixed it yet. I think it's just riveted on. 

[carqwik]

My M20M has them.  Three have been broken in 15 years....I think I was responsible for at least two of the boo-boos!  Mine are such that if broken, I just screw another one into the base mount (female thread) that is attached to a control surface. 

[Seth]

I'll think about it.  Thanks for the advice. Seems many Mooney's have them and many don't

 

Does anyone have any experience flying without them where the static build up was obvious, even visual?

-Seth

[Hank]

3 minutes ago, Seth said:

I'll think about it.  Thanks for the advice. Seems many Mooney's have them and many don't

 

Does anyone have any experience flying without them where the static build up was obvious, even visual?

-Seth

No, my C doesn't go high enough or fast enough for it to be a problem.

[carusoam]

Probably dry, cold, arctic air would make the challenge a bit larger.  The radio shop guys might know best...

Best regards,

-a-

[BDPetersen]

Generally, static buildup occurs when flying in clouds, moisture. Wicks bleed it away so as not to have radio static issues or discharges. "Struck by lightning" is a discharge of static build up. Makes pretty lights on windshields of jets, prop tips on DC-3's, (St Elmo's fire). Wicks prevent little burn holes from forming on pointy parts of the airframe, natural exit points. (As for me, I just use extra cream rinse.)

[Txbyker]

On 7/5/2016 at 11:02 AM, carusoam said:

The base of the device is held in place using a pair of rivets.  The base is a threaded hole.  The devices are threaded into the matching hole.

The devices are somewhat brittle, making walking into one twice as annoying as can be.

it probably has an STC with a layout and installation drawing for proper placement.

aka static wicks or static dischargers....

only a hint...   

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/el/staticdischargers.html

Ask your mechanic regarding installation details...

Best regards,

-a-

My "J" didn't have wicks and I often felt that I had radio interference, ATC variation in distances, etc.  Not sure if that was the cause.  My "O" has wicks and I seem to have a lot better radio operation but it could be later radios.

Any idea what size the rivets are that mount the wick?  I have one that is broken causing a wick to rotate.

 

Russ

[GeorgePerry]

On 7/5/2016 at 10:11 AM, carusoam said:

They break, they get replaced...

 

Yep, they are about $45 per. and I can't tell that they do anything...but it came from the factory that way so I replacement them as needed

[takair]

BD got it right.  They are to control static dissipation.  The need is driven by both speed and atmosphere.  If you are venturing near and in cumulus build ups and carrying speed, you may find a need for them.  Typically you will start hearing white noise and breaking squelch.  You will very likely be looking for a way out of what you are in, so typically won't last long.  They are typically the first to blow off in a lightening strike.  I would not be in a huge rush to add them if you have not experienced a problem.  Even if you have experienced issues, they may not be the cure.  Proper bonding between parts is more important.  Proper installation of static wicks would typically include bonding straps between surfaces and airframe.  You don't want your hinges and bearings being the path for a high voltage discharge.  These straps in turn need to be properly installed so as not to cause binding.  Also, technically you should balance the surfaces after installation, but I suspect few do and the light weight is not very likely to change the balance.  So, if you are hard core IFR driver, have lots of static not cured through normal T shooting, you may be a candidate for wicks.  In my experience, it is rarely needed outside of the jet market.  I think Anthony mentioned glass panels, they would typically be tested for susceptibility and I suspect any requirement would be called out in the STC.