Aircraft grounding

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blsewardjr
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Aircraft grounding

Post by blsewardjr »

Possibly dumb question but what is the purpose of the protruding metal immediately behind the step on the co-pilot side? It doesn't appear to be a sensor. Is it for grounding the aircraft during fueling? I've searched the POH and the AMM and can't find any reference to it.
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Bernie Seward, IR, AGI
2003 DA40 N377DS
KCHO Charlottesville, VA
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Rich
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Re: Aircraft grounding

Post by Rich »

Not a great picture. I do not have what I think you're referring to on mine. The later DA40's have a piece sticking out both sides to aid in attaching a ground strap. I know I've run into a few that didn't want to easily clamp onto the step. Another point: my steps are unpainted stainless steel.
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
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pietromarx
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Re: Aircraft grounding

Post by pietromarx »

blsewardjr wrote: Sat Jun 08, 2019 12:41 am Possibly dumb question but what is the purpose of the protruding metal immediately behind the step on the co-pilot side? It doesn't appear to be a sensor. Is it for grounding the aircraft during fueling? I've searched the POH and the AMM and can't find any reference to it.
The flat angled piece emerging from behind either step is for grounding. The round stub emerging from below the fuselage on one side is the OAT probe.

Strangely enough, I looked in the AMM and POH and you're right: there is no reference to this tab.
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Rich
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Re: Aircraft grounding

Post by Rich »

Hard to find, but it is listed in the Illustrated Parts Catalog. Should be one on both sides.
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Steve
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Re: Aircraft grounding

Post by Steve »

Earlier steam-gauge DA40s had only one OAT probe (on the copilot side). Apparently later ones have 2. I added one to my aircraft on the pilot's side for the density altitude function on my CO-553 carbon monoxide detector (see other thread).

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Last edited by Steve on Sat Jun 08, 2019 2:53 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Aircraft grounding

Post by smoss »

There is also a "placard" next to each fuel cap that shows a very cryptic picture of the grounding point behind the steps.
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Re: Aircraft grounding

Post by blsewardjr »

I've searched the illustrated parts catalog for the oat probe and the grounding point. I can't find either. Does someone know the part numbers? I'm pursuing this because I recently painted my steps and so can't use them for grounding. Thanks much.
Bernie Seward, IR, AGI
2003 DA40 N377DS
KCHO Charlottesville, VA
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Rich
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Re: Aircraft grounding

Post by Rich »

DA4-5300-00-01

In the IPC “Fuselage Shells” diagram. Listed as “Sheet Metal”.
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Re: Aircraft grounding

Post by blsewardjr »

Thanks, Rich. My 2003 definitely does not have that.
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Tom Davis
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Re: Aircraft grounding

Post by Tom Davis »

My 2005 does have the OAT probe. Often use the exhaust pipe to ground my plane. If the grounding wire is long enough, I usually go to the tab behind the step, but not always.
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