Electrostatic Distribution and Discharge Characteristics of Aircraft Under Simulated Jet-Induced Electrification Effect

The combustion of the aircraft turbojet engine generates the separation of electrons and positive ions in the plasma, which causes the jet-induced electrification effect. The electrification effect makes the aircraft structure’s potential reach ten thousand volts. The ability of different aircraft components to accumulate charges exhibits differences because of their insulation capabilities. For example, the insulating head cover and the metal fuselage reveal significant differences in electrostatic distribution, discharge forms, and discharge radiation characteristics. This paper studies the electrostatic characteristics of aircraft components by numerical calculation, simulation and experiment. The electrostatic charge loads on the insulating head cover, the electrostatic potential loads on the metal fuselage and the metal wing, respectively. Those results can demonstrate the high-risk electrostatic discharge points of aircraft and discharge threshold values. Furthermore, the spectral characteristics of aircraft discharge electromagnetic field propagation are explicit. Those provide critical technical support for aircraft electrostatic protection under the jet-induced electrification effect.