Mention aircraft structures and advanced materials and it brings to mind the heavy bones—the ribs, spars, planks and beams that make up the skeleton. But developments affecting the outer layers of the aircraft's skin—just millimeters deep, microns even—promise to have a huge impact on weight, cost and efficiency. The skin of an aircraft has taken on new importance with the move to composite airframes, which brings the need to add lightning-strike protection to the non-conductive carbon-fiber materials used in the place of aluminum.

This twin-engine turboprop aircraft family initially was known as the Dash 8 series. The Q100, the original model, made its first flight in June 1983; first deliveries followed in October 1984. The Q100 carried 37-39 passengers and was equipped with 2,150-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PW120/121 engines. Other models have included the 37-39-passenger Q200 (with 2,150-shp PW123C/D engines) and the 50-56-seat Q300 (with 2,500-shp PW123Bs). Production of the Q100, Q200 and Q300 has ended. The 68-78-seat Q400 (with 6,000-shp PW150As) remains in production.

A 19-seat utility aircraft, the Y-12-II is equipped with Western avionics and Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 engines flat-rated to 620 shp each. The Y-12-IV has winglets, a strengthened undercarriage and redesigned seating. Another Y-12 version is the Y-12E, which is powered by 750-shp PT6A-135 engines. HAI is currently developing the Y-12F, which is substantially different from the earlier Y-12 designs. The Y-12F has a wider fuselage, retractable landing gear, and increased speed, range and payload.

The MA60 twin-turboprop transport aircraft is a stretched version of the Xian Y7-200A, in turn a variation on the Antonov An-24. Accommodation can be provided for 52-60 passengers. The aircraft is powered by two 2,750-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127J engines. Initial flight and delivery of the MA60 took place in 2000. A freighter version, called the MA60-500, is also marketed. In May 2010, a new variant, the MA600, was awarded certification by the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

The A318 is a twin-engine, 107-132-passenger narrowbody jetliner. First flight occurred in January 2002. In May 2003, the A318 (with CFM56 engines) was certificated by the European Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA); this was followed by FAA certification in June and deliveries began in July. The A318 is powered by two 21,600-23,800-lb.-thrust turbofan engines, either the CFM56-5B or the Pratt & Whitney PW6000. Primary competition includes the Embraer 190 and 195 and Bombardier CSeries.

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The An-124 is a four-engine, intercontinental-range, heavy-lift cargo transport, while the An-225 is a six-engine, heavy-lift jet designed to carry the Soviet shuttle orbiter Buran. Initial flight of a production An-124 prototype took place in 1982, and commercial operation began in 1986. The An-124 is powered by four Ivchenko-Progress D-18T turbofan engines, while the An-225 is powered by six. Fifty-five An-124s and one An-225 have been produced.

Tangible proof is finally emerging that the FAA is back on course with one of its most crucial—and most troubled—air traffic control programs. While government watchdogs caution that plenty could still go wrong with the En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) effort, its accomplishments are at last beginning to outweigh the red flags.