[jrockway]

> Since on a narrow-body aircraft passengers can easily be within 2 meters of some of the VHF antennae.

But, separated by a very large piece of conductive metal. (I think even carbon fiber planes have a conductive layer in there, to prevent damage from lightning strikes.)

[skykooler]

Isn’t carbon fiber conductive itself?

[thenickdude]

Yes, and blocks radio transmissions very nicely. When making a model airplane with a carbon fibre hull, we have to add a plain fibreglass or plastic window for the antenna to receive through.

[tonyarkles]

Carbon fibre is definitely conductive. A couple of years ago I measured a 1” diameter tube and got about 15ohms/ft.

[Animats]

Right, it's a resistor. This is a problem for airframes and wind turbine blades. Its resistance is too high to deal well with lightning. So aluminum is needed to provide a conductive path.