What is crucial when terminating aircraft control cables with swaged terminals?

When terminating aircraft control cables with swaged terminals, the use of a go-no-go gauge before and after the swaging process is essential. This practice ensures that the terminal has been swaged to the correct specifications and that the joint meets the stringent safety and performance standards required in aviation. The go-no-go gauge helps confirm that the terminal has been crimped tightly enough to provide a secure connection without being over-compressed, which could weaken the cable or lead to failure.

While color-coding, lubrication, and visual inspections are helpful practices in various contexts, they do not directly ensure the integrity and safety of the swaged terminal connection like the use of a go-no-go gauge does. The gauge is a critical tool that validates the swaging process, ensuring the cable's functionality and reliability in the aircraft's control system. Thus, this choice highlights a fundamental aspect of cable terminal termination that directly impacts safety and effectiveness in aircraft operations.