To study the effect of radial bolt tension on the VAT characteristics of the bolted connection elements of aircraft structures, calculations are carried out using the finite element method, which is based on experimental verification using a model of the bolted connection design with tension. The constructed model is verified by the test of bolted connections, based on the reliability of the three-dimensional model of elastoplastic analysis by the finite element method. A model of the analysis of the influence of the design parameters of the bolted connection for six different tension values was created. A comparative analysis of the influence of different tension values on the nature of the VAT distribution, the initial stiffness and the load-bearing capacity of the bolted connection design was carried out. The results of the study showed that the stress distribution and their concentration can be changed when applying the appropriate fit with tension. At a tension value of 1.5 % of the bolt diameter, the initial stiffness and bearing capacity increase by 14.1 % and 9.33 %, respectively.