Where is surface tape commonly used in aircraft fabric covering?

Surface tape is primarily used over rib stitching and sewed seams in aircraft fabric covering. It serves an important purpose as it protects these critical areas from moisture and abrasion, which can lead to deterioration over time. By covering stitching, surface tape also helps distribute loads evenly and provides additional strength to the fabric structure.

Furthermore, the use of surface tape enhances the aesthetic appeal of the aircraft, giving it a smoother finished appearance. Although surface tape is also employed in other areas of aircraft covering, such as repair patches and leading or trailing edges, its primary function and most common application are specifically to cover and reinforce sewn seams and rib stitching where potential weaknesses can occur.