Definition
A drill bit with a flat, spade-shaped cutting tip used to bore relatively large-diameter holes in wood or soft materials. The bit has a sharp center point that locates and steadies the bit, with two flat cutting edges extending outward from the point that scrape the material away as the bit rotates.
Plain English
A flat, paddle-shaped drill bit used to make wide holes, mostly in wood. It has a pointed tip in the middle to keep it centered while the flat edges cut the hole.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft maintenance, shop-tool lists, and repair instructions when choosing the right tool for making a hole.
Derivation
Called a spade drill because the cutting end is shaped like a small garden spade — flat and broad, with a point in the middle.
Why Pilots Care
Produces clean holes with minimal risk of splitting or delaminating thin aircraft skins and panels.
Intuition Check
Do not read drill here as a practice exercise. In this term, drill means the cutting tool used to make a hole.
Example Sentence 1
The mechanic used a spade drill to bore a one-inch hole through the wooden bulkhead.
Example Sentence 2
When installing the baggage compartment liner, a spade drill left smooth edges that needed no further sanding.