Static Shock Bare-footed

[Keith Miller]

Another thread is currently discussing flying close to power lines. A great thread and full of valid warnings!
But that reminded me of a similar experience of mine, although quite benign in comparison.
So on a nice hot Southern California day, I opted to prance about the nice grass flying field bare-foot.
While flying my model I felt a sharp pinching with a "click" sound on the thumb of my my flying hand. This happened about once every five laps or so.
Yep, you guessed it! Static charge buildup on the lines was causing an arc to jump the small gap between my upper adjusting screw and my thumb! (I have one of those thumb-wheel adjuster things on my handle.)

That was pretty wild!

[Brett Buck]

Another thread is currently discussing flying close to power lines. A great thread and full of valid warnings!
But that reminded me of a similar experience of mine, although quite benign in comparison.
So on a nice hot Southern California day, I opted to prance about the nice grass flying field bare-foot.
While flying my model I felt a sharp pinching with a "click" sound on the thumb of my my flying hand. This happened about once every five laps or so.
Yep, you guessed it! Static charge buildup on the lines was causing an arc to jump the small gap between my upper adjusting screw and my thumb! (I have one of those thumb-wheel adjuster things on my handle.)

That was pretty wild!

   That is common. Connect some thin bare copper wire to the metal part of the handle, wrap it around the grip, then to the metal on the other line. It will continuously discharge the electricity instead of letting it build up, then spark.

     Brett

[Scott Richlen]

Or get a pair of conductive shoes (like what we wore at Thiokol so we didn't accidentally ignite a Minuteman or Poseidon first stage.  Tends to ruin your whole  day....)