On 23 Mar 2007 14:54:07 -0700, wrote:

In the right atmospheric conditions, insulators like plexiglass can
build up a large static charge as air rushes past it. This is
basically an air-driven Van De Graff generator. The sound you were
hearing was most likely the charge arcing from the plexiglass to the
metal frame as it reached a high enough voltage to break down the air
and arc over.

Hawker 800's have plastic windscreens and a marginal ground path.

Think about cold, dry air at altitude.

They will indeed light you up if you aren't careful. Snap, Crackle and
Pop. BTW, you're usually standing on a stepladder when you get
poked...

TC