Meaning of warp in covering fabric

Aviation Mechanic Airframe (AMA) practice question 5 of 30 on Non-Metallic Structures. ACS element AM.II.B.K10 · difficulty: recall. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Aviation Mechanic Airframe (AMA) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONIn aircraft covering terminology, what does the term warp identify?

AThe direction across the width of the fabric
BThe direction along the length of fabric
CThe number of threads per inch of fabric

Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. The direction along the length of fabric

A — incorrect That description matches fill, also called weave, which runs across the width rather than along the length.
B — correct The handbook defines warp as the direction along the length of the fabric.
C — incorrect Threads per inch in warp or filling is the definition of count, not warp.

BACKGROUND

Fabric covering work uses a small vocabulary of textile terms that appear throughout approved data. Warp is the direction along the length of fabric, while fill, also called weave, is the direction across its width. Count is the number of threads per inch in warp or filling, and ply is the number of yarns making up a thread. A bias is a cut, fold, or seam made diagonally to the warp or fill threads. A pinked edge has been cut in a continuous series of Vs to prevent raveling, while a selvage edge is woven to prevent raveling.

STUDY TIP

Fix warp and fill as a pair, length versus width, and then learn count, ply, bias, pinked edge, and selvage around them.

KEY POINTS

Warp runs along the length of the fabric.
Fill, or weave, runs across the width.
Count is the number of threads per inch.

SOURCES

FAA-H-8083-31B ch03 "Fabric Terms"

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