Current protective organic coatings for aircraft are reviewed. Aliphatic polyurethanes form the basis for coatings that are used for general surface protection, camouflage, thermal flash resistance and corrosion protection of metallic and composite aircraft skins. Elastomeric polyurethane and fluorocarbon coatings are utilized for aircraft radomes and antenna covers where the coating must possess combinations of rain erosion resistance, dielectric transmission properties, conductivity for antistatic protection, thermal flash resistance and camouflage colors. Coatings materials typically result in solvent emissions which are unacceptable from environmental and safety/health requirements. Efforts to develop high solids coatings, waterborne coatings, encapsulated corrosion inhibitors and durable cleanable coatings are described with increased emphasis in advanced techniques and for removal of coatings.