I think a lot of people have the wrong idea about grounding while
fueling. What you need to do is equalize the charge between the fuel
can and the airplane, so no static electricity wants to jump from one
to the other. If you ground the airplane but not the can, that can
still happen. The best idea, IMHO, is to make up a three ended wire,
like the letter "Y", with each leg about 24 inches long. Put an
alligator clip on each end. Connect one end to the exhaust pipe of
the airplane, another end to a bare (not painted) part of the gas can,
and connect the third end to the metal funnel. You have now equalized
all charges that can cause problems. Now, and only now, open the gas
can and begin fueling.
Syd
On Feb 24, 2009, at 10:18 AM, ALAN FAIRCLOUGH wrote:
Just wanted to add that since I frequently fill my fuel tanks using
jerry cans of fuel, I have added a grounding wire that trails from
one of the screws of the landing gear and touches the ground. It is
actually a piece of steel cable from a bicycle brake line with an
eyelet on one end.
I usually get comments from visitors that I am trailing a wire.
It is on purpose to make sure the plane is grounded when I fill the
tanks from the jerry cans. It does not affect the flying or add
weight and has to be safer than not having it.
Alan Fairclough
N87333
N94694
