An aircraft fuselage assembly of basic construction in composite materials employs metallic frames with reduced quantity of metallic shear ties attached to the composite stiffened skin, formed by two or more longitudinal panels, spliced with longitudinal metallic splice members. Typically, the latitudinal metallic frame members are fastened to the inward outstanding flange portion of the composite stringers which are in turn integrated to the skin. As such, the frame members are spaced from (floating over) the fuselage skin. An electrical path may thus be established so as to protect the fuselage structure against the impact of electrical discharges commonly encountered in the atmosphere by providing metallic shear ties interconnecting the frame and splice members so as to span the space therebetween.