Abstract: This paper comprehensively introduces a survey and a theory foundation concerning the aeroelastic tailoring for the present composite aircraft.The mechanisms of aeroelastic tailoring are explained emphatically,which are the basic principles on which the realization of aeroelastic tailoring depends.In addition,the effect due to tailoring on the aircraft performance is illustrated by the use of a series of curves.The effect shows the performance benefits of aeroelastic tailoring while it is favourable for performance.