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Pressure limit for bead-and-clamp hose connections

Aviation Mechanic General (AMG) practice question 12 of 17 on Fluid Lines and Fittings. ACS element AM.I.D.R3 · difficulty: standard. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Aviation Mechanic General (AMG) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONA mechanic plans to connect two rigid tubes using a bead on each tube, a section of hose and hose clamps. To which systems does the handbook limit this beaded type of connection?

  1. ALow- or medium-pressure systems only
  2. BHigh-pressure hydraulic systems, such as landing gear lines
  3. CAny system, regardless of pressure
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. Low- or medium-pressure systems only

  • A — correct The handbook states that the beaded type of fitting, which requires a bead, a section of hose and hose clamps, is used only in low- or medium-pressure systems such as vacuum and coolant systems.
  • B — incorrect High-pressure hydraulic systems use flared, flareless or permanent fittings, not bead-and-clamp hose connections.
  • C — incorrect It is the flared, flareless and permanent-type fittings that may be used as connectors in all systems regardless of pressure; the beaded type is restricted.

BACKGROUND

Fittings attach one piece of tubing to another or to system units, and there are four types: bead and clamp, flared fittings, flareless fittings and permanent fittings such as Permaswage, Permalite and Cryofit. The pressure the system carries and the material used are usually the deciding factors in selecting a connector. The beaded type of fitting, which requires a bead on the tube, a section of hose and hose clamps, is used only in low- or medium-pressure systems such as vacuum and coolant systems. Flared, flareless and permanent-type fittings may be used as connectors in all systems regardless of pressure. MS flareless fittings in particular are designed primarily for 3,000 psi hydraulic systems subjected to severe vibration or fluctuating pressure.

STUDY TIP

When a question mentions high pressure, rule out bead-and-clamp connections immediately; they belong to vacuum and coolant systems.

KEY POINTS

  • Four fitting types: bead and clamp, flared, flareless and permanent.
  • Bead-and-clamp connections are limited to low- or medium-pressure systems such as vacuum and coolant.
  • Flared, flareless and permanent fittings may be used in any system regardless of pressure.

SOURCES

  • FAA-H-8083-30B ch09 "Fluid Line End Fittings" (Universal Bulkhead Fittings paragraph on the four fitting types)
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MORE ON FLUID LINES AND FITTINGS

SkyDrill is not affiliated with the FAA. This is an original practice item based on FAA-H-8083-30B Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook – General, 14 CFR part 43 and part 65. Regulations and handbooks are revised; confirm details against the current edition.