How can you prevent St. Elmo's fire during flight?

St. Elmo's fire is a phenomenon caused by the ionization of air around sharp points or edges, often seen during thunderstorms or when flying through areas of electric discharge. It commonly manifests as a bluish glow around the cockpit or on the aircraft's leading edges, indicating high electrical activity in the atmosphere.

The most effective way to manage the risk of St. Elmo's fire is to ensure that static wicks are installed properly. Static wicks serve to dissipate electrical charges that may build up on the aircraft’s surface during flight, particularly in conditions that involve high humidity and electrical activity, such as thunderstorms. A properly functioning static wick helps maintain aircraft safety by reducing the likelihood of electrical discharges that could create conditions favorable to St. Elmo’s fire. Their role is critical in preventing the accumulation of static electricity, which is inherent to the formation of this atmospheric phenomenon.

Other strategies, while they might influence flight conditions to some extent, do not directly address the underlying cause of St. Elmo's fire as static wicks do. For instance, flying at a higher altitude may avoid some storm activity but might not eliminate the risk of electric discharge if the aircraft encounters the phenomena regardless of altitude. Similarly, turning off electronic devices or reducing