Aerospace Fasteners

Guide to Aerospace Fasteners

Find the aviation fasteners you need
By Ben Hahn

When you're building, remodeling, or performing maintenance on aircraft, you need to be sure you're using the best aerospace fasteners available. The aerospace bolts, nuts, and rivets that hold your aircraft together are vital in keeping you up in the sky, so make sure you're purchasing aircraft fasteners that meet the national aerospace standard.

With dozens of distributors on the web, the quickest way to find the aviation fasteners you need is to search for aerospace fasteners online. Many aerospace fastener manufacturers and distributors offer comprehensive online catalogs of the aircraft fasteners they have in stock.

When looking for an aerospace fastener distributor, here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. If you aren't sure of national aerospace standard specifications necessary for your project, find a distributor that will offer you multiple standards on demand.

2. Before you start a search for parts, look up the identification numbers for the aerospace fasteners you're purchasing to facilitate an easy online search.

3. If you won't be doing aircraft maintenance yourself, find an aerospace fastener supplier who will perform aircraft repairs in addition to selling you the parts you need.

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Follow national aerospace standards when purchasing aviation fasteners It's important that your team follows the correct standards and specifications on any aviation project. Buy the aerospace bolts and nuts that fit national standards. If you're unsure of the correct standard to follow, distributors may be able to supply or sell you a full list of national standards.

I recommend:  The IHS Standards Expert is a software program that tracks multiple up-to-date standards. Request a quote online before purchasing this software. If you already know and track aerospace standards you need to follow, AerospaceSuppliers.com offers a handy search tool for multiple aviation parts and services that comply with any standard you specify.

Find an online aerospace distributor with a comprehensive catalog of parts You can speed up your search for the right aviation fasteners by locating the parts you need on the first try. If you need a wide variety of fasteners, look for a distributor that stocks a wide selection of fasteners.

I recommend:  HC Pacific has an easy to use online inventory search. Search by entering the parts number, or download their entire inventory. Mil-Spec Fasteners boasts an inventory of over 195 million fasteners in stock. Request to purchase a full catalog on their website.

Locate a supplier that offers repair services If you don't want to do repairs yourself, or if you want an expert's opinion when doing them, look for an aerospace fastener distributor who offers to do repairs as well as sell the parts you need. Shopping for parts and maintenance in the same place will streamline your repair schedule.

I recommend:  Heico sells a variety of products and services. See a full list of what they offer on their website.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• In addition to the standard catalog of fasteners, a number of online distributors offer a selection of nonstandard or hard to find aerospace fasteners.