Fuel system components must be bonded and grounded primarily to?

Bonding and grounding fuel system components in aircraft is critically important for safety reasons, specifically to drain off static charges. In aviation, static electricity can build up due to various factors, such as air movement, fuel flow, and environmental conditions. If not properly managed, these static charges could lead to sparks or electrical discharges, which pose a significant risk of igniting fuel vapors, leading to fire hazards.

Through bonding and grounding, any static electricity that accumulates on components is safely dissipated to the ground, significantly reducing the likelihood of ignition sources. This grounding is a fundamental practice in aircraft fuel systems to ensure safe operations and to protect both the aircraft and its occupants.

The other options address different aspects of fuel system design or maintenance but do not reflect the primary reason for bonding and grounding. Enhancing performance, retarding galvanic corrosion, and preventing fuel contamination are important considerations, but they serve secondary roles compared to the critical safety function that bonding and grounding fulfill in avoiding dangerous static discharges.