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Alclad aluminum sheet has been used for decades as the material of choice for aircraft fuselage sheet. Producers have developed and improved aluminum alloys that today allow airline companies to fly polished unpainted aircraft that are attractive, unique and instantly identifiable to the traveling public. The use of polished fuselages not only provides an attractive exterior but also offers functional benefits. These include fuel savings by flying with less paint, maintenance savings from reduced down time during C and D checks, reduction in hazardous waste disposal, and improved inspection capabilities. Arguments for both sides of this issue are sound. However the proven advantages of flying non-painted polished aircraft necessitate consideration of the concept of flying non-painted polished fleets for improved economic performance.

The use of polished aluminum fuselage skins has been a standard on U.S. commercial jet transport aircraft for decades. Increasingly stringent environmental regulations for paint stripping combined with fuel and maintenance savings allows consideration of flying polished non-painted aircraft. Boeing, McDonnell Douglas and Embraer currently manufacture commercial aircraft with polished alclad aluminum fuselages. Commercial airlines such as American Airlines, USAir, Eastern, Northwest and ASA fly non-painted fleets. These customers require the aircraft to be delivered with a polished appearance incorporating minimum fleet graphics. The manufacturing of polished aircraft requires unique production and handling procedures to fabricate all exterior panels with identical color match and reflectivity.