Nitinol alloys are most qommonly known for their superelasticity and thermal shape memory [1]. The lerm 'shape-memory' is used to describe the phenomenon of restoring to a predetermined shape on heating, after having been 'plastically' deformed; 'superelasticity' refers to the enormous elasticity of these alloys.
For pilots, the definition of a large aircraft is  taken from the Code of Federal Regulations, CFR 1.1, which defines a large aircraft as aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of more than 12,500 pounds. In contrast, a small aircraft is one with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds.
Topping our list is a military cargo plane of which only one has so far been built. At 275 feet long and with a maximum takeoff weight of 640 tons, the An-225 âDreamâ is the longest and heaviest plane ever built. Its 290 foot wingspan also means that it has the largest wingspan of any current operational airplane.