Which of the following statements about the AN8-12 bolt is true?

• A. It has a diameter of 3/4 inch
• B. It has a diameter of 5/16 inch
• C. It has a diameter of 1/2 inch and a length of 1 1/4 inch
• D. It is not used in aviation hardware

Answer: (C)

Understanding how AN bolt designations encode size helps you read these specs quickly. The prefix AN8 tells you the bolt’s diameter: 8 corresponds to 1/2 inch (8 divided by 16). The dash number after that is tied to the bolt’s length in standard increments used in aviation hardware; for an AN8 with dash 12, the length corresponds to 1 1/4 inches. So the statement that matches both parts—diameter 1/2 inch and length 1 1/4 inch—is correct.

In aviation practice these bolts are common and interchangeable within the specified size, with the grip length noted to ensure the correct amount of threading and the correct overall length through the joined parts. The other options conflict with the AN8 size (diameters like 3/4 inch or 5/16 inch would be different AN numbers) or misstate the hardware’s role in aircraft applications.