What are ball lock pins / flight pins?

A flight pin is a removable pin used to secure mechanical components of an aircraft to ensure safety and prevent movement or actuation during maintenance or ground handling. They often feature a red "Remove Before Flight" stream flag attached to them, designed to be highly visible to ensure it is removed properly before flight operations.

Key Functions of Flight Pins

• Safety Assurance: Flight pins prevent accidental activation or movement of various systems and components, such as landing gears, control surfaces, and emergency exits, during ground operations or maintenance procedures.
• Component Locking: They are used to lock and secure critical components in a fixed position to avoid unintended deployment or retraction.
• Visual Warning: The attached "Remove Before Flight" streamers act as visible indicators for ground crew and flight personnel, reminding them to remove the pins before the aircraft takes off.