|
|
Those Broken Static Wicks...
With IFR season upon us, clear communications are vital. Even a minute or two of lost or garbled radio transmissions can seem like ages when you are in IMC. While we can't protect against some tricks of Mother Nature, we can combat the effects of "P-Static," or Precipitation Static, on the aircraft.
P-Static is defined as radio interference due to the impact of charged particles against an antenna, caused by snowstorms, rainstorms, duststorms, etc. Besides Comm problems, P-Static can cause VOR inaccuracy, wandering needles, or even damage to internal components. Aircraft manufacturers combat P-Static buildup by installing Static Dischargers, or "Static Wicks," at trailing edges of wings, control surfaces, stabilizers, etc. to dissipate static energy. We are proficient at tests and inspections of Static Dischargers and surface bonding, and carry a wide variety of replacement parts. If radio reception becomes garbled or unreadable in precipitation, but is loud and clear on a fair day, odds are you are suffering from P-Static build-up. Call us. Kings Avionics. We can fix it.
|
