For something so important, it's a deceptively low-profile piece of equipment: a handful of small metal rods on the wings known as static wicks. Read more: 12 WD-40 Hacks You'll Wish You Knew Sooner ...

This 1980 Cessna 172 RG has 2,500 hours on the airframe, 2,500 hours since new on its Lycoming O-360 engine, ... static wicks, oil quick-drain valve, and 62-gallon usable fuel capacity.

If you've ever wondered what the little metal rods sticking out of the back of the wings are, they're known as static wicks, and you won't believe what they're for.

Static wicks go a long way toward keeping a plane safe in flight, though they can start to fray with time, particularly from repeated exposure to the elements.