Abstract: An aerial article including a composite skin, a leading edge facing an airflow during use of the aerial article, an erosion resistant coating including a metallic material, and an aerodynamic surface. The coating at least partly covers the composite skin of the aerial article. The coating has a porosity sufficiently high to provide an open area, diffusion passage way, so as to permit moisture transportation from the composite skin to the aerodynamic surface of the coating. A method of applying an erosion resistant coating including a metallic material to a composite skin of an aerial article. An erosion resistant coating material is provided onto the composite skin over a selected area of the article. The coating is porous. The outer surface of the coating is polished to achieve a smooth aerodynamic surface.