Definition
A permanent tube or cable fitting that is attached by mechanically deforming (squeezing) a metal sleeve onto the tube or cable using a swaging tool, creating a strong, leak-tight, non-removable joint.
Plain English
A connector that is locked onto a cable or tube by squeezing a metal sleeve tightly around it. Once squeezed on, it cannot be taken off — the joint is permanent.
Context Anchor
Seen during aircraft maintenance and inspections, especially on control cables, cable ends, and some tube connections.
Derivation
From the verb 'swage,' an old English metalworking term meaning to shape or compress metal using a tool or die. The fitting is named for how it is made — the sleeve is swaged (squeezed and reshaped) onto the cable or tube.
Why Pilots Care
Provides reliable, high-strength terminations on control cables that resist vibration, tension, and fatigue in flight, preventing loss of control authority.
Analogy
It is similar to a metal cap squeezed tightly onto the end of a cord, except the aircraft version is made to hold under real operating loads.
Intuition Check
Swaged does not mean screwed on, glued on, or tied on. It means the metal fitting was pressed so hard that it changed shape and locked onto the cable or tube.
Example Sentence 1
The mechanic inspected each swaged fitting on the elevator control cable for cracks before signing off the annual inspection.
Example Sentence 2
During the preflight inspection the pilot checked each swaged fitting on the rudder cables for cracks or slippage.