Abstract: The present invention provides an aircraft structure comprising a structural component and a set of reinforcing straps for reinforcing the structural component, wherein the set comprises a first reinforcing strap having an inner and outer surface, wherein the inner surface is attached to a first surface of the structural component such that the first reinforcing strap extends longitudinally along the structural component and a second reinforcing strap having an inner and outer surface, wherein the inner surface is attached to the outer surface of the first reinforcing strap such that the second reinforcing strap extends longitudinally along the first reinforcing strap. The invention also provides an aircraft, a method of reinforcing an aircraft structure and a method of inspecting an aircraft structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aircraft structure comprising a structural component and a set of reinforcing straps for reinforcing the structural component, wherein the set comprises a first reinforcing strap having an inner and outer surface, wherein the inner surface is attached to a first surface of the structural component such that the first reinforcing strap extends longitudinally along the structural component and a second reinforcing strap having an inner and outer surface, wherein the inner surface is attached to the outer surface of the first reinforcing strap such that the second reinforcing strap extends longitudinally along the first reinforcing strap. The invention also provides an aircraft, a method of reinforcing an aircraft structure and a method of inspecting an aircraft structure.

Abstract: There is provided a method for welding together two metal components to form a large structure suitable for use as an aerospace component. The method comprises the steps of providing two metal components to be welded together, each component having a length, a width, a height and a surface to be welded, the surface to be welded of at least one of the metal components including a feature extending substantially the length of the component, the feature reducing the contact width of the surfaces to be welded of the two components to less than the width of each component; and welding together the components. There is also provided a large structure so created. There is also provided a method for welding together two metal components to form a part or a whole of a spar for a wing for an aircraft and a spar so created.