Touring An Airplane Graveyard ... Bittersweet
Jun 4th, 2012, 04:11 AM
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Touring An Airplane Graveyard ... Bittersweet
Having spent most of my life in and around aviation, I have been given opportunities to see and do things that others are not so fortunate to experience.
Headed west, I get a chance to visit what I consider an “Airplane Graveyard”. Just outside of Tucson, Arizona, I have a bittersweet afternoon as I am given a tour of the final resting place for many of the machines that have allowed many of us to see the world and enjoy air travel.
Parked in the Arizona desert are all types of airplanes from numerous airlines around the world. Many of them are from what I consider the glory days of aviation and air travel. A time when you got a hot meal in coach and did not have to pay extra fees for bags.
A time when air travel in general was more fun than it is today.
From a TWA 747, a Continental DC9 to a field of old Northwest airplanes waiting to be made into beer cans it's a kind of sad reality but an interesting tour. I even get to see close up the world's only 747 water tanker.
My fondest aviation memory comes alive when we stop to see a fleet of once the world's oldest airline. As a kid growing up in Nassau, Bahamas, it was always very cool and thrilling to watch a Chalk's Airline seaplane make an approach and water landing just past our downtown.
For me, it was fascinating that an airplane could land on water and then make it's way onto Paradise Island, now home of Atlantis.
Soon, I drift back from the warmth and beauty of the islands to the heat and dryness of the Arizona desert. I am reminded that earlier I also had a another nice childhood memory flashback here.
Does anyone have the phone number for the ACME Company?
Beep..beep!
Video:http://youtu.be/sLzRu5Wn8G4
Headed west, I get a chance to visit what I consider an “Airplane Graveyard”. Just outside of Tucson, Arizona, I have a bittersweet afternoon as I am given a tour of the final resting place for many of the machines that have allowed many of us to see the world and enjoy air travel.
Parked in the Arizona desert are all types of airplanes from numerous airlines around the world. Many of them are from what I consider the glory days of aviation and air travel. A time when you got a hot meal in coach and did not have to pay extra fees for bags.
A time when air travel in general was more fun than it is today.
From a TWA 747, a Continental DC9 to a field of old Northwest airplanes waiting to be made into beer cans it's a kind of sad reality but an interesting tour. I even get to see close up the world's only 747 water tanker.
My fondest aviation memory comes alive when we stop to see a fleet of once the world's oldest airline. As a kid growing up in Nassau, Bahamas, it was always very cool and thrilling to watch a Chalk's Airline seaplane make an approach and water landing just past our downtown.
For me, it was fascinating that an airplane could land on water and then make it's way onto Paradise Island, now home of Atlantis.
Soon, I drift back from the warmth and beauty of the islands to the heat and dryness of the Arizona desert. I am reminded that earlier I also had a another nice childhood memory flashback here.
Does anyone have the phone number for the ACME Company?
Beep..beep!
Video:http://youtu.be/sLzRu5Wn8G4
Jun 4th, 2012, 06:10 AM
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Great pics/video! Why are so many engines removed? Do they reuse them? Why were cockpit windows covered along with other parts, again, recycle purposes? Thanks for the glimpse. We don't get to Tucson all too often lbut will check this out next time.
Jun 4th, 2012, 09:37 AM
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Oh, it will all get reused. They are out in the desert because they will last a long time out there, like Pharaoh's tomb.
Some of panes will fly again when airlines decide there are enough passengers. Some of them will have new lives in Nairobi and Tegucigalpa or flying roses or whatever from Colombia to Miami.
Some of the hardware will get used to repair other airplanes. The engines have been pulled for reuse or spare parts, the window "glass" is covered to prevent UV damage.
Whatever is left is mostly high grade aluminum, and as the OP suggests it can all become Coke cans, but it may well go through lots of other incarnations before then. High quality aluminum is highly recyclable. Then there is copper wire and on and on.
No, the desert is just a way station while brokers figure out what is more valuable as airframes and what is more valuable as scrap.
Some of panes will fly again when airlines decide there are enough passengers. Some of them will have new lives in Nairobi and Tegucigalpa or flying roses or whatever from Colombia to Miami.
Some of the hardware will get used to repair other airplanes. The engines have been pulled for reuse or spare parts, the window "glass" is covered to prevent UV damage.
Whatever is left is mostly high grade aluminum, and as the OP suggests it can all become Coke cans, but it may well go through lots of other incarnations before then. High quality aluminum is highly recyclable. Then there is copper wire and on and on.
No, the desert is just a way station while brokers figure out what is more valuable as airframes and what is more valuable as scrap.
Jun 4th, 2012, 10:42 AM
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emalloy,
I think DH & any aviation buff would enjoy being out there. I don't think the site I visited is open to the general public but there are some other cool "Airplane Boneyard" museums around Tucson.
By the way Ackislander post is pretty accurate of what happens to these airplanes..
Some airlines do place airplanes here for temporary storage or maintenance repairs. However, many of them are too old and have exceeded their useful life to be safely returned to the skies.
I think DH & any aviation buff would enjoy being out there. I don't think the site I visited is open to the general public but there are some other cool "Airplane Boneyard" museums around Tucson.
By the way Ackislander post is pretty accurate of what happens to these airplanes..
Some airlines do place airplanes here for temporary storage or maintenance repairs. However, many of them are too old and have exceeded their useful life to be safely returned to the skies.
Jun 4th, 2012, 10:51 AM
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DebitNM,
I believe the engines are removed for the most part when the airframe is no longer useful or safe for flying. Airplanes require routine inspections and after so many years of service the cost of these inspections is cost prohibitive (somewhere in the range of $1-2 million dollars).
A particular airplane may have engines that are not as old as the airframe with a useful life beyond the airframe. These engines can be rebuilt or used for spare parts and are placed on the ground just for storage.
The windows and most non metal items are covered to protect them from the elements. There can be vicious storms out here that can do a lot of damage, especially the sandstorms.
I believe the engines are removed for the most part when the airframe is no longer useful or safe for flying. Airplanes require routine inspections and after so many years of service the cost of these inspections is cost prohibitive (somewhere in the range of $1-2 million dollars).
A particular airplane may have engines that are not as old as the airframe with a useful life beyond the airframe. These engines can be rebuilt or used for spare parts and are placed on the ground just for storage.
The windows and most non metal items are covered to protect them from the elements. There can be vicious storms out here that can do a lot of damage, especially the sandstorms.
Jun 4th, 2012, 11:25 AM
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DMB - if you are ever in Denver area, check out Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Musuem, I think you'd like it.
http://www.wingsmuseum.org/
http://www.wingsmuseum.org/
Jun 4th, 2012, 01:35 PM
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Thanks, DMB. My father commanded aircraft maintenance squadrons (heavy and field) the whole time I was growing up. I didn't listen to much else, but the Old Man's knowledge of keepin' them flyin' impressed me even when I was at my most teenage obnoxious.
These days, I get a thrill looking at all those Pratt and Whitney radials on "Ice Pilots" and imagining how they keep them flying.
These days, I get a thrill looking at all those Pratt and Whitney radials on "Ice Pilots" and imagining how they keep them flying.
Jun 5th, 2012, 02:20 AM
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Ackislander,
"Props" (no pun intendeded) to your dad and all the great men and women that serve in the military. I wish I could tour a true military aircraft boneyard as over time they have put out some interesting and fascinating flying machines.
Always loved "Radials".. Ah, the smoke and dripping oil. The fun and romantic days of aviation
"Props" (no pun intendeded) to your dad and all the great men and women that serve in the military. I wish I could tour a true military aircraft boneyard as over time they have put out some interesting and fascinating flying machines.
Always loved "Radials".. Ah, the smoke and dripping oil. The fun and romantic days of aviation
