What term describes providing a continuous, low-impedance path to equalize potentials and dissipate static on an airframe?

• A. Ground loop
• B. Insulation
• C. Isolation
• D. Bonding

Answer: (D)

Bonding is the practice of tying all conductive parts of the aircraft to a single electrical potential with a continuous, low-impedance path. By doing this, any static charges that build up on different surfaces can quickly flow to the same potential and be dissipated, minimizing the risk of arcing or sparks during fueling or in lightning events. In essence, every metal part shares the same voltage, so there’s no significant voltage difference to drive a discharge.

This is different from insulation or isolation, which deliberately block or keep materials electrically apart, and from a ground loop, which is an unintended, often undesirable current path that can introduce noise or unwanted currents. Bonding, on the other hand, purposefully creates a controlled, reliable path to equalize potentials across the airframe.