A composite shear tie for connecting a rib in a wing of an aircraft to a skin panel. The shear tie includes a web section having a first edge, a second edge, and a third edge. The web section is formed from a composite material. The first edge is parallel to the second edge, and the web section is configured to be connected to the rib in the wing of the aircraft. The shear tie also has a first free flange extending from the first edge, wherein the first free flange is around perpendicular to the web section and wherein the first free flange is formed from the composite material. A second free flange is present in the shear tie in which the second free flange extends from the second edge, wherein the second free flange is around perpendicular to the web section and wherein the second free flange is formed from the composite material. The shear tie has a base flange section extending from the third edge, wherein the first base flange is configured for attachment to the skin panel and wherein the first base flange is formed from the composite material.