Posted on August 11, 2026 Tony Adams
Finding the exact replacement hardware for Commercial and Defense Aircraft is critical for structural integrity, airworthiness compliance, and minimizing Aircraft On Ground (AOG) downtime. In aviation maintenance, procurement teams and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) technicians rely heavily on Boeing Airplane Company (BAC) standardized part numbers. Unlike industrial equipment manufacturers such as Baltimore Aircoil Company, Boeing BAC Hardware Standards refer specifically to high-precision aerospace fasteners, rivets, bolts, nuts, and bushings designed for extreme thermal and mechanical flight loads. In this comprehensive BAC part number lookup guide, you will learn how to decode BAC alphanumeric codes, cross-reference them with military standards, and safely procure certified hardware.
Boeing Standard components are engineered under rigorous metallurgical tolerances and structural specifications. Although originally created for Boeing platforms, these standardized aerospace fasteners are utilized worldwide across commercial airliners, military aircraft, and defense assets. Common hardware classifications include BACB high-tensile structural bolts, BACN vibration-resistant self-locking nuts, BACS precision machine screws, BACR solid and blind structural rivets, and BACP clevis or alignment pins.
A BAC part number is a coded blueprint containing essential dimensions, thread pitch, material composition, and surface plating. For example, in the part number BACB30LU3-10, the base specification segment BACB30 identifies the component family as a Boeing BAC standard structural hex-head bolt.
The material and plating code LU indicates the material composition and surface treatment, such as titanium alloy with cadmium plating or passivated corrosion-resistant steel. The diameter code 3 represents the nominal shank diameter in sixteenths of an inch, which equals a 3/16-inch shank diameter in this instance. Finally, the length code -10 specifies the grip or overall length in sixteenth-inch increments, translating to 10/16 inch or 0.625 inches. Even a 1/16-inch error in grip length or an improper coating can lead to galvanic corrosion or structural fatigue failure under operational flight cycles.
Aviation maintenance schedules often require substituting a hard-to-find OEM part with an interchangeable military or national standard equivalent. Understanding these specifications helps maintain airworthiness without waiting on extended lead times. For instance, a BACB30 structural bolt directly equates to the NAS6203 or MS20004 series. Similarly, a BACN10 self-locking nut corresponds to the MS21042 or NAS1291 series, while a BACS12 machine screw aligns with the MS24693 or AN509 series. To understand how Boeing standard parts compare against broader military and national specifications, read our detailed guide on MS Standard vs NAS Standard vs AS Standard Comparison.
Sourcing mission-critical components requires strict compliance with international aerospace quality standards. The FAA AC 20-62E governs part eligibility, traceability, and documentation requirements such as FAA Form 8130-3 or Certificates of Conformity. Additionally, AS9120B and ISO 9001 certifications provide the necessary quality management framework for distributors to eliminate counterfeit parts from entering active supply chains. Meanwhile, EASA Part-145 mandates exact component verification against Illustrated Parts Catalogs (IPC) and Aircraft Maintenance Manuals (AMM).
Mastering the BAC part number lookup process is essential for maintaining strict airworthiness standards and streamlining aircraft maintenance schedules. By understanding how to decode the standard alphanumeric structure and leveraging cross-referencing capabilities, procurement specialists can avoid costly downtime and eliminate component mismatches. Working with trusted distributors like ASAP Components ensures that every bolt, nut, or rivet delivered comes backed with full traceability, certified documentation, and rapid delivery to keep your aircraft flying safely.
You can search the BAC part number directly in the ASAP Components digital inventory search bar to automatically view verified cross-referenced MS (Military Standard) and NAS (National Aerospace Standard) functional equivalents.
Always insist on receiving a Certificate of Conformity (CoC), Manufacturer Test Reports, and, where applicable, an FAA Form 8130-3 or EASA Form 1 airworthiness tag.
No. Baltimore Aircoil Company (BAC) manufactures commercial cooling tower and HVAC equipment, whereas Boeing Airplane Company (BAC) standards refer strictly to aerospace structural hardware and aircraft components.
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