What is the best practice for grounding an aircraft?

Grounding an aircraft properly is crucial for safety, and grounding it to the aircraft ensures that all static electricity built up during flight or through atmospheric conditions is safely discharged. This practice prevents any accidental electrical discharges that could harm personnel working on or near the aircraft.

When you ground an aircraft, connecting directly to that specific aircraft helps in providing a controlled path for the dissipation of electrical charges. It effectively ensures that the electrical systems of the aircraft remain isolated while maintenance is performed, thereby optimizing safety for flight line personnel.

Using a wooden grounding rod, disconnecting the battery before grounding, or grounding to another aircraft does not provide the same level of safety or effectiveness in discharging static electricity. These methods could lead to potential risks, such as creating grounding loops or not properly dissipating the charge at all. Grounding directly to the aircraft itself maintains the integrity of the electrical systems while ensuring personnel safety.