Materials mature
The growth of air travel has always been dependent on the
development of materials technology for structures and
engines.
Keeping track of production
Aircraft manufacturers are making greater use of RFID and bar code
technology, while also using new software that helps them keep
production lines running smoothly.
Breaking records via fuel management
Onboard sensors reported lower-than-expectedfuel-tank readings not
far into the around-the-world flight of the GlobalFlyer,
jeopardizing the entire mission.