For the 3/8 inch galvanized aircraft cable, what construction is specified?

For the 3/8 inch galvanized aircraft cable, what construction is specified?

• A. 1x19 construction
• B. 7x7 construction
• C. 12x3 construction
• D. 7x19 construction

Answer: (D)

Aircraft control cables must balance strength with the ability to bend smoothly around pulleys and guides. The 7x19 construction achieves this well: seven strands, each made of 19 wires, gives a rope that is highly flexible yet still strong and resistant to wear in the sheaves and contact points it encounters. Galvanizing adds corrosion resistance, which is important for cables used in diverse environments. At a 3/8 inch diameter, this combination is a common, reliable choice because it maintains good bending life and control feel without sacrificing too much strength. Other constructions with fewer, larger wires tend to be stiffer and harder to route, while different strand configurations don’t offer the same balance of flexibility and fatigue resistance, so they’re not the typical selection for aircraft control cables.

Aircraft control cables must balance strength with the ability to bend smoothly around pulleys and guides. The 7x19 construction achieves this well: seven strands, each made of 19 wires, gives a rope that is highly flexible yet still strong and resistant to wear in the sheaves and contact points it encounters. Galvanizing adds corrosion resistance, which is important for cables used in diverse environments. At a 3/8 inch diameter, this combination is a common, reliable choice because it maintains good bending life and control feel without sacrificing too much strength. Other constructions with fewer, larger wires tend to be stiffer and harder to route, while different strand configurations don’t offer the same balance of flexibility and fatigue resistance, so they’re not the typical selection for aircraft control cables.