Definition
A reinforcing fabric tape used in aircraft fabric covering work that has serrated, zigzag-cut edges along its length. The pinked edges help the tape blend smoothly into the dope finish and resist fraying or lifting at the edges once applied over seams, rib stitching, or repairs.
Plain English
A strip of fabric tape with little zigzag teeth along both edges, used to cover seams and stitching when re-skinning a fabric-covered aircraft. The zigzag edges hold down better and look neater after the finishing coats go on.
Context Anchor
Seen in fabric-covering maintenance, especially when finishing seams, ribs, and repaired areas on fabric-covered aircraft.
Derivation
Pinking' comes from the old tailoring term 'to pink,' meaning to cut a decorative or finished zigzag edge into cloth. Pinking shears do the same thing in sewing. The serrated edge prevents fraying and gives a cleaner bond -- which is exactly why it's used on aircraft fabric.
Why Pilots Care
Provides fray-resistant reinforcement that maintains smooth, durable surfaces essential for structural integrity and flight performance on fabric-covered aircraft.
Intuition Check
Pinked does not mean the tape is pink in color. Here, it means the tape edge is cut in a zigzag pattern.
Example Sentence 1
After rib-stitching the wing, the technician applied pinked-edge tape over each stitch line before brushing on the first coat of dope.
Example Sentence 2
Pinked-edge tape was used along the wing trailing edge to blend the fabric patch without leaving raw threads exposed.