Aviation grounding
Aircraft jet fuel is incredibly flammable, and the process of transferring fuel to the aircraft creates significant static electricity. Thus, it's mandatory to static bond (at least. See our argument to bond AND ground here) aircraft during refueling to reduce the risk of static discharge, as per the OSHA and NFPA regulations.
A scene from a popular oil drilling reality show depicting a deadman reel and monitoring system (red reel, blue box) being used with an aircraft refueling station.
Like our other tutorials on static bonding and grounding, there is more than one way to safely bond a refueling aircraft. The most popular way is to attach a static grounding reel with an ALS10A aviation clamp to the aircraft refueling truck and then reel it out and attach it to the aircraft landing strut before refueling commences.
Other popular ways include using aviation plugs that attach into designated receptacles on the aircraft so that clamps are not used at all. This is particularly common on military aircraft where there is a desire not to clamp on any part of the expensive aircraft shell for fear of damaging it.
Static monitoring is used quite extensively with aviation refueling as well, with deadman systems allowing the operator to stop transfer of fuel instantly if something goes wrong by just releasing the deadman clamp. The picture on the left shows this being done on a remote airport up in the arctic.
Aviation static grounding is not significantly different than any other form of static grounding, other than the requirements to be very careful not to damage the aircraft during the static grounding process.
- Stainless steel, hexagonal shape construction
- For use with standard aircraft grounding receptacles
- Provides a secure grounding and bonding connection
- Complies with Mil spec M83413/4-1
- Knurled version is also available P/N: AV65KN
These heavy-duty reels offer a robust, gasketed design in a lower cost, riveted construction. Priced very reasonably, providing a viable alternative to manual rewind reels, yet offering the benefit of automatic self-retraction of the cable. Clamps should be walked back to the reel during retraction. These reels meet MIL-PRF A-A-50696 for use in military deployments.
- Standard Clamp: 100 amp solid copper alligator clip
- Electrical Resistance: 5 ohms maximum between clamp and mounting base
- Finish: Red enamel
Substitute the LE21C alligator clip for our heavier duty REB clamp when using this reel in outdoor areas or with painted, dirty or rusty surfaces.
- Cast aluminum construction with plated steel jaws
- Aviation industry standard for bonding and grounding aircraft and refueling vehicles
- Ideal for attaching to landing gear, posts, ground balls, ground rods and other curved unpainted surfaces
- Complies with mil spec M83413/7-1
- Clamps opens to 13/16"
- Can take up to #6 cable