On Thursday, June 25, 2015 at 7:54:02 PM UTC-6, son_of_flubber wrote:
I had the seat pan out of my glider and I noticed that there are several braided wires connecting the metal stick to other metal parts and the (-) side of the power distribution block, battery, and (via power distribution wires) to the (-) of the electrical instruments (with small fuses on each instrument).

I understand that this has something to do with possible lightening strikes and also minimizing RF interference for radio, transponder etc..

Can someone provide a better explanation (or a link)?

If lightening hits a control rod, what happens to the pilot holding the hot stick?

Electric current WILL find a current path thru the glider in the event of a lightning strike. YOU don't want to be a part of that current path. These braids ensure that the current will go thru the control rods, which are capable of carrying that current, and not thru the pilot's body, or other parts of the glider that might disintegrate.

Tom