What are the key steps in confirming proper bonding and grounding before commencing aircraft refueling to prevent static discharge?

Before commencing aircraft refueling, confirming proper bonding and grounding is crucial to prevent static discharge, which could ignite fuel vapors. The first step is to connect the fuel truck's grounding cable to a designated grounding point on the airport's grounding system. This dissipates any static electricity that may have accumulated on the fuel truck itself. Next, a bonding cable must be connected between the fuel truck and the aircraft. This equalizes the electrical potential between the two, preventing a spark from occurring when the fuel nozzle is introduced to the aircraft's fuel tank. The specific grounding point on the aircraft is typically located near the fuel filler port and is clearly marked. It is imperative to ensure that the bonding and grounding connections are clean and free of corrosion, as corrosion can impede the flow of electricity. Visual inspection of the clamps and cables for any signs of damage is essential. After making the connections, a continuity test should be performed using a multimeter to verify that a low-resistance path exists between the fuel truck, the aircraft, and the ground. This test confirms that the bonding and grounding system is functioning effectively. The multimeter should display a reading close to zero ohms, indicating a good electrical connection. If the continuity test fails, the connections must be re-checked and cleaned until a satisfactory reading is obtained. Only after confirming proper bonding and grounding through visual inspection and a continuity test should the refueling process begin. Furthermore, throughout the refueling operation, the bonding and grounding connections should be periodically checked to ensure they remain secure and effective.