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.
In Pictures: The World's Biggest Planes In Pictures: The Biggest Planes Of The Future. But that's changing. New technologies, including composite airframes, lighter engines and advanced avionics and design systems, are bringing a huge new generation of giants to life. When the Airbus A380 enters service it will become the second-largest plane in the world and largest passenger aircraft. Built by EADS, it weighs in at 652.5 tons, is 239 feet long and has a fuselage 23 feet, 5 inches in diameter.