Strikefinders and non-metallic airplanes

I'm here to tell you I had a real mud wrestle with a Glassair III and a
Strikefinder.

Problem was that the airframe was non-conductive AND generated static
electricity as it zoomed thru the air.

After I chased down all the problems that were related to the lack of
shielding (like unbelievable treatment of the alternator required) I was
completely defeated by the generation of static at speeds 120kt or so.

You could hear the crackling in other radios, even the VHF comms. I had
no idea how to go about troubleshooting it. Where could the potential
differences be? It also wiped out the ADF.

I don't know if the carbon fiber in the Lancair is conductive or if other
steps are taken; but I can tell you that unless they are, you will fight
an uphill battle.

I once had the same battle with a T210. It turned out that in this model year,
the magnetic compass was not grouned... it just floated on the windshield.
Running a wire from it to the airframe solved the problem.

Once on an MU-2, the metallic paint stripes were found to be gathering
static. It was necessary to remove them and repaint with non-metallic.
The dots went away.

But then on a dark and stormy night over by North Platte in the Glassair
I could hold my hand by the windshield and draw arcs several inches long.
I really wondered what the hell I was doing in a plastic airplane with 60
gallons of fuel in it near a TSTM. That's when I gave up on the strike
installation.

Bill Hale