"Jim Macklin" wrote

Most slow airplanes do not have static discharge wicks, but
in the correct conditions, they can build static which can
build to very high voltages. It is also possible that the
grounds [bonding] between components is not good and that
can lead to arcing across hinges and between ailerons and
wing, etc.

Snow and ice crystals cause the build up, the fix is proper
bonding and static wicks, even on a C172.

Bonding and static wicks will not prevent a static charge from building on
an insulator such as the windscreen itself, but they certainly will keep the
entire airframe at the same potential as you mention. In fact,
theoretically you could have a ground plate on one side of the windscreen
and still build a static charge on the other side of the windscreen under
the right conditions. That's the nature of static charges on insulators.

BDS