Re: Radiation and plane crashes

[Les Fraley <les@lamar.ColoState.EDU>]

On Thu, 14 Aug 1997, Bernard L Cohen wrote:

> 	At one time, radioactivity was considered for reducing icing on
> airplane wings; does anyone know if this has been implemented? Air
> friction causes airplane wings to build up an electric charge and these
> charges serve as centers for formation of ice. Radioactivity on the wings
> ionizes the surrounding air and causes the charge to leak off, reducing
> ice formation.
> 
> Bernard L. Cohen, Physics Dept. 
   Never heard of any implementation, although I fly and work on only
small airplanes.  Small airplanes use a "static wick" to leak off the
charge build-up.  I don't know about big or military birds.
Les Fraley, Retired
Radiological Health Sciences
Colorado State University
Ft. Collins  CO  80523
970-221-1624
les@lamar.colostate.edu