Definition
Small, slender devices fitted to the trailing edges of an aircraft's wings, tail, and other control surfaces that allow accumulated static electrical charge to discharge harmlessly into the surrounding air, reducing interference with onboard radio and navigation equipment.
Plain English
Little pointed strips on the back edges of the wings and tail that bleed off static electricity the airplane builds up while flying, so it doesn't disrupt the radios.
Context Anchor
You will encounter static wicks during preflight inspection, in maintenance discussions, and in instrument flying material about precipitation static.
Derivation
Static' comes from the Greek statikos, meaning 'standing' or 'at rest' — referring here to electrical charge that builds up on the airframe rather than flowing as a current. 'Wick' borrows from the everyday sense of a candle or lamp wick, something that draws fluid out to a point. The wicks 'draw off' built-up charge to a fine point where it can escape into the air.
Why Pilots Care
Uncontrolled static discharge produces loud radio noise that can block ATC communications and navigation signals, especially in clouds or precipitation; intact static wicks maintain reliable radio performance.
Analogy
Think of a static wick as a small drain for electrical buildup. It does not stop the buildup from happening, but it helps give the charge a controlled way to leave.
Grounding Statement
As an aircraft flies through moisture or particles, electrical charge can collect on the airframe, and static wicks help release that charge before it creates radio noise.
Intuition Check
Static wicks do not prevent lightning strikes, and they are not antennas. They are discharge devices that help bleed off built-up electrical charge from the aircraft.
Example Sentence 1
During the preflight, the pilot checked that all the static wicks on the wing and tail trailing edges were present and undamaged.
Example Sentence 2
Heavy snow created precipitation static that began to garble the radios until the static wicks on the tail surfaces began discharging the buildup.