I've noticed how in the winter time static is much more prevalent in the air than the summer. Is this a potential problem for the electronics in our drones?
STATIC is it a problem?
- Thread starter Rchawks
- Start date
bumper
Well-Known Member
In full size aircraft, flying in precip or through cloud can cause an electrical charge to build up in the airframe, mostly due to friction. Since airband comm radios are AM (amplitude modulated) this can cause radio static. Static wicks help bleed off the charge and helps a lot.
Our drones use FM (frequency modulated) radio signals that are not nearly as susceptible to this type of RF interference, that and we don't usually fly in such conditions.
In any case, static build up in the airframe, due to friction, would not normally harm electronics as the airframe and the electronics within that are bonded or connected together, would be at one electrical potential with no reason to experience arcing between components. One caveat - don't fly in or near thunderstorms! All bets are off.
Not exactly related, but lateral lightning bolts have blown the wing off a glider from 5 nautical miles away from the Cb. Static build up in the airframe can attract a lightning strike. (The bolt hitting the wing turns the moisture in the carbon fiber to steam, literally blowing the structure apart. The accident I'm referring to happened in the UK and both pilots bailed out - they fared better than the glider.)
Our drones use FM (frequency modulated) radio signals that are not nearly as susceptible to this type of RF interference, that and we don't usually fly in such conditions.
In any case, static build up in the airframe, due to friction, would not normally harm electronics as the airframe and the electronics within that are bonded or connected together, would be at one electrical potential with no reason to experience arcing between components. One caveat - don't fly in or near thunderstorms! All bets are off.
Not exactly related, but lateral lightning bolts have blown the wing off a glider from 5 nautical miles away from the Cb. Static build up in the airframe can attract a lightning strike. (The bolt hitting the wing turns the moisture in the carbon fiber to steam, literally blowing the structure apart. The accident I'm referring to happened in the UK and both pilots bailed out - they fared better than the glider.)
Simple static charge build up won't damage them. A lightning strike will take them down, however.
AnzacJack
Australian Defence Veteran
Never noticed it to be a problem in RPAS.
On a side note have been struck by lightning a couple of times without any adverse effects to the aircraft. Some times seen small holes from the exit point of the lightning from al skin, but most of the time not a big issue
Having said that, composite materials that are becoming more prevalent in aircraft construction can have some issue with lightning strike. Like the glider event mentioned above, and also a helo rotor that was hit in the North Sea
On a side note have been struck by lightning a couple of times without any adverse effects to the aircraft. Some times seen small holes from the exit point of the lightning from al skin, but most of the time not a big issue
Having said that, composite materials that are becoming more prevalent in aircraft construction can have some issue with lightning strike. Like the glider event mentioned above, and also a helo rotor that was hit in the North Sea
Gindra
Well-Known Member
I totally agree with the comments above and just want to add a somewhat related comment.
Solar wind affects the earth's atmosphere and geomagnetic fields. The intensity of these effects are reported as a Kp index which can be found in a number of places including AirData and UAV Forecast.
The Kp index is fairly low right now, as we are in the middle of an approximately 12 year Solar Minimum cycle during which sun spot and solar flares are infrequent. However, even at Solar Minimum there are solar wind events that can cause a disturbance.
The reason why UAV Forecast and AirData report this Kp index is because these events can disrupt radio communication and even overload electrical circuitry. So it is advisable to keep an eye on the Kp index when doing preflight checking and these apps make it easy to do so.
Solar wind affects the earth's atmosphere and geomagnetic fields. The intensity of these effects are reported as a Kp index which can be found in a number of places including AirData and UAV Forecast.
The Kp index is fairly low right now, as we are in the middle of an approximately 12 year Solar Minimum cycle during which sun spot and solar flares are infrequent. However, even at Solar Minimum there are solar wind events that can cause a disturbance.
The reason why UAV Forecast and AirData report this Kp index is because these events can disrupt radio communication and even overload electrical circuitry. So it is advisable to keep an eye on the Kp index when doing preflight checking and these apps make it easy to do so.
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