In which direction should a screw be turned for removal?

Turning a screw for removal is commonly associated with the principle of "lefty-loosey, righty-tighty." This means that to loosen or remove a screw, you should turn it counterclockwise (CCW).

When a screw is threaded, it is designed to be tightened by rotating it clockwise. To reverse that action and remove it, the opposite direction is necessary. This counterclockwise motion disengages the threads from the material they are secured into, allowing for easy removal.

Understanding this mechanism is crucial in aviation maintenance, as improperly attempting to remove screws by turning them in the wrong direction could cause damage to the screw, the surrounding components, or create safety hazards by leaving parts unsecured. Thus, knowing that counterclockwise is the correct direction for screw removal is essential knowledge for anyone working in the field.