Composite drive shafts are used for such applications as the rotary motive power transmission in aircraft secondary flight controls. Composite shafts can provide a weight advantage of up to 50% compared to traditional steel shafts. An additional weight advantage can be achieved in the associated flight control equipment by adjusting the design of the lay-up of the shaft to control the torsional stiffness of the unit, thereby reducing operating loads in the final application. If designed-in from the start of a program, the use of such drive shafts can significantly reduce weight, at a competitive cost.

Push-pull applications for composite rods are typically used for flight control actuation, linear load transmission, struts, tie rods, synchronisation shafts etc.

The main advantage for the use of these materials is weight reduction, although high stiffness can be a main design consideration.