Definition
The electrical connecting of two or more conductive parts of an aircraft (such as panels, control surfaces, engine components, and structure) to ensure they share a common electrical potential. Bonding provides a low-resistance path between metal parts so that static charges, stray currents, and lightning strike energy can flow safely without producing sparks, voltage differences, or radio interference.
Plain English
Joining metal parts of an aircraft together electrically so they all sit at the same voltage. This stops sparks, electrical noise, and dangerous build-ups of static between parts.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft maintenance around fuel systems, electrical equipment, antennas, control surfaces, and areas protected from static electricity or lightning effects.
Derivation
From the Old English 'bond,' meaning a tie or link. In aviation it keeps that same idea — tying parts together — but the link is electrical rather than physical, ensuring all the joined parts behave as one electrically.
Why Pilots Care
Proper bonding prevents dangerous static sparks near fuel and ensures reliable operation of radios, instruments, and lightning protection.
Grounding Statement
If two metal parts can hold different electrical charges, bonding gives the charge a safe path to even out instead of jumping as a spark.
Intuition Check
Bonding does not mean gluing parts together here. In this context, it means making an electrical connection between parts.
Example Sentence 1
The technician inspected the bonding strap between the engine and the airframe to confirm it had low electrical resistance.
Example Sentence 2
During the inspection the technician checked every bonding connection to confirm there was no corrosion interrupting the ground path.