Static Wicks?

[ppilotmike]

Are you guys installing static wicks on your airplane? If so, where? I saw a post of a guy with a 10 installing wicks on his rudder. I know they are important for reduction of electrical interference, but I don't recall seeing many wicks on RVs. I'll be starting my wings soons, and started thinking about the fact that I currently don't have wicks on my elevators or rudder. Is this a problem?

[9GT]

I am not installing static wicks.

[ppilotmike]

Originally Posted by 9GT

I am not installing static wicks.

How did you come to that decision?

You don't need them. You're not going to build up much of a static charge going 200mph. Do you want the extra drag? Install them then.
A guy I work with at Gulfstream has vortex generators on his car. Maybe I should suggest static wicks to him.

[9GT]

Originally Posted by ppilotmike

How did you come to that decision?

I did not see any on the factory planes and there are very few -10 builders using them as far as I can determine. In fact, they were not even mentioned in the plans as an option to install. If it's good enough for Van's planes, it's good enough for mine. If there is an issue when I get mine in the air, I will deal with it then. But that's just me. I'm building light and simple. Your mission may differ.

[RV9A Bill]

Cessna discovered that static wicks could be lifesavers in keeping some
Kinds of electrical storms from blanking out communications. This is from
An engineer! A friend, who worked for cessna more than 20 years ago.
Bill

[Bill.Peyton]

Don't jump to the conclusion that they are not needed for a slow plane. I had to install them on my Piper Archer (yes 128 kts) I had all of my radios go silent flying IMC on two occasions. I also noticed my BFG Stormscope used to have random targets displayed prior to the wicks being installed. Fortunately the Archer has a static wick option which I installed. My issue no longer exists with the wicks installed 2100 hours later.
My guess is using your rationale, a non-jet does not need to be grounded during fueling.

I started a thread in the Comm or EFIS area regarding installing them here http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ad.php?t=83448
I regret not having put the hooks in place during the build process to install them. I certainly will install them.

Go ahead and install them if you want. Have fun. Hope you have everything bonded or they are pointless.

And where did you come up with the grounding during fuel thing. Boy you must be smart.

[TSwezey]

I had them on my -10. They hardly take any time to install.