Definition
In sheet metal work, a circular opening cut or drilled through a piece of material, used for fasteners such as rivets, bolts, or screws, or for routing wires, cables, or fluid lines. In aircraft structures, holes are precisely sized and positioned to maintain structural integrity and proper fit of components.
Plain English
An opening made through a piece of metal or other material, usually round, that lets you put a rivet, bolt, screw, wire, or pipe through it.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft inspection, sheet-metal repair, fabric repair, maintenance manuals, and discussions of fasteners, drains, and access openings.
Derivation
Hole comes from Old English words meaning an opening or hollow place. That basic idea still fits the aviation meaning: an opening through a material or part.
Why Pilots Care
On a preflight, holes that shouldn't be there — cracks, missing rivets, or corrosion pits — are signs of structural problems. Knowing what holes are supposed to be on the airframe (drain holes, static ports, vent holes) and which aren't helps a pilot spot real defects versus normal features.
Intuition Check
Do not assume every hole is damage. In aviation, a hole may be a designed opening, or it may be a defect that needs inspection.
Example Sentence 1
The mechanic drilled a pilot hole before installing the rivet to ensure proper alignment.
Example Sentence 2
Scattered holes in the cloud deck allowed the flight to continue under visual rules.