What is the primary purpose of creating a start point before drilling pilot holes?

Creating a start point before drilling pilot holes is primarily aimed at improving the accuracy of hole placement. When a start point is established, it acts as a guiding feature for the drill bit, helping to prevent it from wandering or slipping on the surface material. This ensures that the holes are drilled exactly where they are intended to be, which is crucial in aerospace applications where precision is paramount. Accurate hole placement is essential for ensuring proper assembly, fitting of components, and maintaining the structural integrity of the assembly.

In contrast, reducing drill speed, ensuring consistent hole size, and providing stability during drilling, while important considerations in the drilling process, do not directly address the primary purpose of establishing a start point. These factors are often influenced by other techniques or tools used during drilling rather than the initial setup of the pilot hole. Therefore, focusing on accuracy through a well-defined start point is the most critical factor in this context.