Skybolt – The Company

Skybolt has served the Aerospace and Automotive Racing industries since 1982 through distribution and manufacturing of high quality, traceable aerospace fasteners. We specialize in ¼-Turn Panel and Cowling fasteners, specifically in 303 stainless and our unique lightweight, high strength Skytanium® materials.

Distribution includes a vast selection of AN-MS-NAS aerospace fasteners and panel fasteners common to all general aviation airframes from single engine to corporate jet aircraft.

In 1993, Skybolt developed high tech manufacturing processes to produce innovative ¼-turn fasteners. Developments in the racing markets presented opportunities to design higher quality, higher strength lightweight fasteners. Skybolt achieved three (3) US Patents on adjustable designs that allow one fastener length to adjust to any panel thickness. We quickly introduced these designs into the FAA approval process for use on certified aircraft.

We identified every weak point in every fastener design and capitalized on better designs. Skybolt became the leading source for all variations of cowling fasteners common to commercial aircraft. To further develop our “kit” concept, and to create better controls on quality, we began manufacturing industry standard cowling fasteners in-house. Skybolt could now enhance quality, strength, and luster finish. We were free to innovate and innovate we did. The new Skytanium® alloys, developed by Skybolt, decreased weight by 40% to 50% while increasing strength!

The Skytanium® ¼-Turn fastener and derivatives can eliminate serious pounds from helicopters, UAVs, existing commercial airliners, and be the perfect answer to the Boeing 7E7 and Airbus 380 programs.

Skybolt has researched every model and serial number of just about every aircraft constructed since the 1940s to develop specific stainless panel fastener kits for access panels and engine cowlings. The Skybolt Cowling Kits became our feature product line from the mid 1980s to date. Although parts manuals describe general fastener usage, our research relies on exhaustive hands-on experience. This experience gained us information on production engine cowlings as well as the fasteners associated with the cowlings.

Our CLoc® ¼ Turn Fastener line is compatible with all Camloc® designs. The CLoc® fastener is manufactured under TSO-C148 approvals in 303 stainless steel. Skybolt also holds several STCs to convert troublesome cowling fasteners to our superior CLoc® design. To enhance this preferred design, the patented SK213, SK215, and SK245 locking receptacles, allow one stud length to fit any panel thickness. The Skybolt CLoc® Skytanium® product line is rapidly becoming the preferred fastener of most top NASCAR teams.

The Skybolt ZLoc ™ ¼ Turn Fastener line is compatible with industry standard ‘S’ Spring retained panel fasteners. The ZLoc™ product has many innovative design features to improve strength, luster, anti-slip slot design, and weight. The Skytanium® version of our ZLoc ™ reduces weight by 40% while maintaining the strength rating of higher quality steel parts.

Skybolt now markets a complete line of ALoc stainless cowling fasteners common to many Beech aircraft.

Skybolt holds many new design innovations in various stages of development. As we explore the many opportunities in the marine industry, we find the need for fastening excessively thick panels to blind panels. Skybolt has begun production on new designs to solve this requirement with simple, inexpensive designs.

In 1995, Skybolt began producing FAA approved engine cowlings constructed from high quality carbon fiber materials and epoxy resins. Our Composite Structures division was a natural evolvement from experiences in the cowling fastener business. Skybolt currently utilizes 7,500 square feet of manufacturing space to produce just about every part number common to every Cessna 150, 172, 180, 182, and 185 engine cowling. Any Skybolt part can retrofit the original part, thus, any cowling may be repaired or refurbished to a better than new condition at a tremendous cost advantage.

Skybolt actively seeks contract work for structural and nonstructural composite applications.

Located at the Leesburg Regional Airport, Leesburg, Florida, Skybolt is housed in a beautiful 20,000 square foot facility that includes office and distribution, fastener production, composite production, and aircraft hangar maintenance and modification.