Definition
Lightweight tape or cord laced between the ribs of a fabric-covered wing in a criss-cross pattern to hold the ribs upright and evenly spaced, preventing them from leaning sideways or twisting under flight loads before the fabric covering is applied.
Plain English
Thin tape woven between wing ribs to keep them standing straight and evenly spaced while the wing is being built and during flight.
Context Anchor
Seen in airframe structure discussions, wing inspections, and repairs on built-up or fabric-covered wings.
Derivation
Inter' comes from Latin meaning 'between', and 'bracing' means structural support. So the term literally means 'support placed between the ribs' — which is exactly what it is.
Why Pilots Care
Maintains wing shape and prevents twisting under flight loads, preserving control and structural safety.
Intuition Check
Do not think of “bracing” here as a person bracing for impact. In this term, bracing means structural support that holds parts of the wing in position.
Example Sentence 1
During the wing rebuild, the mechanic ran new inter-rib bracing tape between each rib before applying the fabric covering.
Example Sentence 2
Loose inter-rib bracing allowed the wing to flex excessively during a turbulence encounter.