When using northern white pine as a substitute, what must be true about its dimensions?

When using northern white pine as a substitute, the dimensions must be larger dimensionally to account for various factors such as drying shrinkage, potential for warping, and overall strength considerations. Wood is a natural material that can have unpredictable behavior; thus, a larger size helps ensure that the resulting parts meet the necessary performance specifications.

Additionally, when substituting one type of wood for another, it's essential to consider the mechanical properties and performance characteristics of the wood being used. Northern white pine, while suitable for certain applications, may not match the strength, stiffness, or density of other species used in aviation. Therefore, oversizing the dimensions is a common practice to ensure the final product performs appropriately and achieves the required structural integrity under load.

While it’s true that the dimensions can sometimes vary based on the specific requirements of the application, ensuring that the substitute wood dimensions are larger is a key practice in preventing future issues with material performance. This helps to maintain safety and reliability in aviation design and construction.