What environmental factor can static discharges affect in aircraft?

Static discharges can significantly affect the operation of electrical equipment in aircraft. When static electricity builds up on the surface of an aircraft, particularly during flight, it can cause interference with the avionics systems and other electronic components. This interference can lead to malfunctions, data corruption, or even complete failure of critical systems, such as navigation and communication equipment. Since modern aircraft rely heavily on electronic systems for safe operation, ensuring that these systems function correctly is essential for maintaining safety in flight.

In contrast, factors such as fuel consumption, weight distribution, and flight stability are more influenced by aerodynamic and physical characteristics of the aircraft rather than electrical discharges. Therefore, while those factors are crucial for overall flight performance, they are not directly affected by static discharges in the same way that electrical equipment operation is.