Definition
A reinforced fitting on the underside of an aircraft's structure designed to receive the head of a jack so the aircraft can be safely lifted off the ground for maintenance, inspection, or wheel and landing gear servicing.
Plain English
A small, strong pad built into the aircraft at specific spots where a jack is allowed to push up against the airframe to lift it.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft maintenance procedures when an airplane must be lifted for inspection, tire changes, landing gear work, or weighing.
Derivation
From 'jack' (a mechanical lifting device) and 'pad' (a protective or reinforcing surface). The pad is the prepared spot on the airframe that meets the jack.
Why Pilots Care
Lifting the aircraft anywhere other than a designated jack pad can damage the structure. Pilots and technicians use only the locations specified in the maintenance manual.
Intuition Check
A jack pad is not just any flat spot under the airplane. It is the specific approved contact point designed to carry the lifting load.
Example Sentence 1
The technician positioned the jack under the wing's jack pad before lifting the aircraft to change the tire.
Example Sentence 2
Consult the aircraft maintenance manual to confirm the location of each jack pad before performing any lifting operation.