Definition
The center-to-center distance between adjacent rivets in a riveted joint. Rivet pitch is measured along a single row (rivet pitch) or between rows (transverse pitch), and is specified in rivet diameters to ensure the joint has adequate strength without weakening the surrounding material.
Plain English
How far apart the rivets are spaced from one another in a row of rivets.
Context Anchor
Seen in airframe sheet-metal repair, especially when laying out rivet patterns for skins, patches, and structural parts.
Derivation
From Old English 'piccan,' meaning to fix or set in place. In mechanical use, 'pitch' came to mean the regular spacing between repeated features — like the pitch of screw threads or gear teeth. Here it carries the same idea: the regular spacing between rivets.
Why Pilots Care
Correct rivet pitch is critical to the strength of a repair. Rivets too close together weaken the sheet between them; rivets too far apart let the joint flex or leak. A mechanic or pilot reviewing repair work needs to know the spacing was done to specification.
Intuition Check
Pitch does not mean nose-up or nose-down angle here. In rivet work, pitch means spacing between rivets.
Example Sentence 1
The repair manual specified a rivet pitch of six rivet diameters along the seam.
Example Sentence 2
Technicians check rivet pitch before final riveting to keep the joint strong.