CORRELATION BETWEEN CLEAR-AIR TURBULENCE AND ELECTRIC FIELDS,

Abstract : The results of a cooperative effort by Stanford Research Institute, United Air Lines, and Air Force Systems Command to determine the correlation between regions of clear-air turbulence and aircraft electrical activity are described. Corona discharges from precipitation static dischargers on DC-8 aircraft were monitored and correlated with clear-air turbulence encounters. A significant correlation was found to exist between clear-air turbulence encounters and periods of electrical discharge. It is suggested that these electrical discharges may be caused by electric fields in the region of clear-air turbulence, particulate matter in the region that charges the aircraft, or a combination of both. (Author)