What is the correct order for grounding an aircraft?

Grounding an aircraft involves connecting a grounding strap or cable from the aircraft to a designated grounding point on the ground. This process is crucial for preventing static electricity buildup, which can pose a risk of sparking and potentially igniting fuel vapors or causing electrical shorts.

The correct order of grounding—connecting to the ground first and then to the aircraft—ensures that any static charge is dissipated safely into the earth before making contact with the aircraft. This minimizes the risk of transferring any static charge that could lead to a spark when the grounding point on the aircraft is connected. By grounding the strap or cable to the ground first, you create a safe path for any static electricity, effectively discharging it before it interacts with the aircraft's systems.

In contrast, other options do not properly prioritize safety. Connecting to the aircraft before the ground could lead to dangerous static discharge conditions, while connecting to power or other components first does not address the critical need to dissipate any static charge before interacting with the aircraft systems.