Definition
The distance between rows of rivets measured at right angles (perpendicular) to the line of the seam in a riveted joint. Transverse pitch is one of the layout dimensions used when designing or inspecting a riveted repair, along with rivet pitch (spacing along a row) and edge distance.
Plain English
When rivets are arranged in more than one row, transverse pitch is how far apart those rows are, measured across the seam rather than along it.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft sheet-metal repair, rivet layout instructions, and structural maintenance drawings.
Derivation
‘Transverse’ comes from the Latin ‘transversus,’ meaning ‘turned across.’ ‘Pitch’ here means a regular spacing distance. So transverse pitch is the spacing measured across the seam — at right angles to it — rather than along it.
Why Pilots Care
Directly affects calculated thrust, efficiency, and proper propeller balancing during overhaul or pitch adjustment.
Intuition Check
Do not read pitch here as the aircraft nose moving up or down. In this term, pitch means spacing, and transverse means across the rivet rows.
Example Sentence 1
The repair drawing called for a transverse pitch of three-quarters of an inch between the two rows of rivets.
Example Sentence 2
A change in transverse pitch at the outer station alters the effective thrust produced at cruise RPM.