Effect of Static Electricity on Aerodynamics

[ColoradoDoug]

Aerodynamics are not my specialty, that's why I'm asking. Could anyone provide me with the effects of static electricity on aerodynamics? Does it help or hurt?

Thanks

 

[IRstuff]

Why would you expect it to do anything?

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[zerosum]

The visual effects of St. Elmo's fire in high cirrus cloud can be awesome at 40,000 feet, but I don't think there's any effect on either lift or drag.

 

[rb1957]

if static electricity performs work, wouldn't that be equivalnt to a drag source ?

possibly static electricity could be used (at very high altitude) as equivalent to boundary layer suction ??

 

[FieldTeam]

Static charges on aircraft effects radio reception and is no good. Some aircraft incorporate static dissipators to bleed charges from the skin.

 

[bf109g]

What you don't want is a static discharge from a composite surface - tends to blow things apart (reverse lightning strike). As FieldTeam said, static wicks keep the avionics happy and provide some measure of static discharge protection.

Since you're in CO, there are a lot of scientists at NCAR in Boulder who probably have a lot of experience on the subject.