FA6-1/2-60 - DZUS Slotted Recess Head Stud

FA6-1/2-60 – DZUS Slotted Recess Head Stud

Available now on the Airparts.aero Marketplace.

Overview

The Dzus FA6-1/2-60 is a genuine, military-standard quarter-turn stud, a key component of the legendary Dzus FA6 Series quick-access fastener system. This is a flight-proven fastener designed for securing cowlings, access panels, and fairings where both strong fastening and rapid, repeated access are required. The stud features a flush, slotted head and a unique cam-shaped tip that engages with a corresponding spring receptacle. Fabricated from high-strength, cadmium-plated steel, the FA6-1/2-60 is the industry workhorse for reliable, quick-release panel fastening.

Key Features

• Quick-Acting Quarter-Turn Operation: Allows for extremely fast panel removal and installation. A simple 90-degree turn with a flat-blade screwdriver is all that is required to lock or unlock the fastener from its spring receptacle, dramatically reducing service time.
• Positive Locking Under Tension: The stud's cam-shaped tip is designed to engage with and deflect a spring-wire receptacle. This action draws the panel tight and places the fastener under constant spring tension, making it highly resistant to loosening from airframe and engine vibration.
• Flush Head for Aerodynamics: Features a flush, flat head designed to be installed in a dimpled or countersunk hole. This creates a smooth, aerodynamically clean surface, reducing parasitic drag on aircraft skins and cowlings.
• High-Strength Steel Construction: Fabricated from a high-grade steel alloy and heat-treated for strength and durability, ensuring a long service life through thousands of fastening cycles.
• Corrosion-Resistant Plating: Plated with a durable cadmium finish to provide excellent corrosion resistance, a critical requirement for hardware that is frequently exposed to the elements.

Technical Specifications

• Part Number: FA6-1/2-60
• Component Type: Quarter-Turn Fastener Stud
• Fastener Series: Dzus FA6 Series
• Head Style: Flush Head, Slotted Drive
• Material: Steel Alloy
• Finish: Cadmium Plated
• Key Dimensions Decoded:
  • -6: Body Diameter of 6/16 inch (3/8 inch)
  • -1/2: Head Diameter of 1/2 inch
  • -60: Effective Length of 0.600 inches (measured from the head to the bottom of the cam tip)
• Installation: Held captive in the outer panel by a grommet (e.g., GF6 series).
• Mating Component: Requires a corresponding Dzus S6 spring receptacle.
• Certification: Conforms to original Dzus / Southco specifications.

Aircraft Compatibility

The Dzus FA6 series fastener is a universal component used on thousands of aircraft, from vintage warbirds to modern general aviation and experimental aircraft.

• Common Applications:
  • Engine Cowlings: A classic and widely used fastener for securing engine cowling panels.
  • Inspection Panels: Used on numerous access panels on the fuselage, wings, and empennage that require frequent inspection.
  • Belly Panels & Fairings: Securing large belly panels and aerodynamic fairings that must be removed for service.

Applications

The FA6-1/2-60 is a fundamental component for any quick-release panel system:

• Panel Fabrication & Repair: The primary fastener used when creating new, quick-access panels or repairing existing ones.
• FOD Prevention: When used with its corresponding grommet, it creates a captive assembly, preventing the loss of hardware that could become dangerous Foreign Object Debris (FOD).
• Maintenance Efficiency: Dramatically speeds up any maintenance task that requires the removal of a panel or cowling.

Why Choose FA6-1/2-60?

The security of an engine cowling in flight is paramount. The Dzus FA6 fastener is a time-tested, proven solution for this application. Using a genuine, high-quality Dzus FA6-1/2-60 stud ensures you are installing a component with the correct material strength, heat treatment, and precise cam geometry to engage the spring receptacle properly and provide the designed clamping force. Substituting with incorrect or non-certified hardware can lead to panels vibrating loose in flight, a serious safety hazard.

Order Your Dzus FA6-1/2-60 Studs Now

Ensure your quick-release panels are secure and serviceable with genuine Dzus hardware. Visit Airparts.aero to order your FA6-1/2-60 fastener studs today.

The Dzus FA6-1/2-60 operates on a simple and robust cam-lock principle. The stud is installed in an outer panel, typically retained by a grommet. The mating structure has a spring-wire receptacle (like an S6-S) riveted in place. To fasten the panel, the stud is pushed through the spring and turned 90 degrees. The cam-shaped slots in the tip of the stud engage with the spring wire. As the stud is turned, the cam forces the spring to deflect, drawing the panel inward and creating a strong clamping force. At the end of the rotation, the spring wire snaps into a detent in the stud's cam, providing a positive lock that is highly resistant to vibration. The selection of the correct stud length is critical to ensure the spring is deflected by the proper amount to achieve the designed tension.

Note: This is a permanent fastener component when assembled with its grommet. The selection of the correct stud length ("-60" for 0.600 inches) is critical and must be calculated based on the total thickness of the panel, grommet, and spring, plus the required spring deflection. Refer to the Dzus technical guide for proper selection. Installation must be performed by a certified A&P mechanic with experience in sheet metal and fastener installation.