What Is an Airplane Boneyard?

Have you ever accompanied adult friends or family members while they were shopping for a new vehicle? If you have, you are aware that car lots usually have a wide selection of vehicles from various brands. Both brand new and used cars are available for sale.

When people purchase a new car, they often trade in their old one. These trade-ins can then be sold to others who are looking for a different vehicle. However, if a car or truck is too old, it might end up in a salvage yard. In a salvage yard, the vehicle is either used for spare parts or crushed and recycled for scrap metal.

Salvage yards can contain all types of vehicles, including cars, trucks, and even buses. This leads us to wonder…what happens to airplanes when they become too old or are no longer needed?

Aircraft generally have long lifespans, but they eventually reach the end of their usefulness. They are typically sent to a place known as an aircraft graveyard or boneyard.

The largest aircraft boneyard in the world is the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG), which is located at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. This boneyard is home to old military and government aircraft.

Within the 309th AMARG, there are 4,400 airplanes, jets, and helicopters. The boneyard even houses old space shuttles from NASA! Some of these aircraft are stored for potential future use, while others are dismantled for usable parts and recyclable materials. Some fighter jets are even converted into drones.

Upon arrival at the boneyard, aircraft are stripped of their weapons, electronics, and classified hardware. They undergo a thorough cleaning and are then sealed to protect them from the elements. Most aircraft boneyards are located in dry desert areas, as the dry climate is ideal for storing these large metal machines.

When aircraft reach the end of their lifespans, workers at the aircraft boneyards disassemble them for recycling. Have you ever thought about how intricate airplanes are? A Boeing 747 consists of over six million parts, 170 miles of wiring, and nearly 150,000 pounds of aluminum.

The workers must first remove any hazardous materials. Next, they extract valuable parts that can be used in other airplanes, such as flight controls, engines, doors, landing gear, and recorders.

Finally, the remaining valuable materials are recycled, including aluminum, copper, steel, magnesium, and titanium. Approximately 85 percent of most airplanes can be successfully recycled.

Have you ever visited a salvage yard? How about an airplane boneyard? It could be an exciting experience to witness the dismantling of those enormous aircraft! Just imagine—the next plane you board could be constructed using parts from previous airplanes.

Try It Out

Are you ready to explore an airplane boneyard? Enlist the help of a friend or family member and try out the following activities:

• Explore the websites Commercial Airliner Boneyards and Desert Aircraft Storage to gain more knowledge about various facilities that store old airplanes in desert locations. If given the opportunity, which boneyard would you choose to visit? Explain your choice to a friend or family member.
• Interested in visiting an airplane boneyard? Use the Interactive Map of Aircraft Boneyards and Storage Facilities Around the World to find the closest boneyard to your location. How far would you have to travel to reach the nearest boneyard?
• For an aerial perspective of an airplane boneyard, watch the Airplane Boneyard Videos online. Why do you think it is important to have airplane boneyards? If you had the chance to visit one, what specific things would you like to see? Compose a paragraph describing your expectations for a visit to an airplane boneyard.

Sources of Wonder

• http://www.airplaneboneyards.com/davis-monthan-afb-amarg-airplane-boneyard.htm (accessed on 18th July 2020)
• https://www.abc15.com/news/state/the-boneyard-a-secret-airplane-graveyard-in-tucson-arizona (accessed on 18th July 2020)

FAQ

1. What is an airplane boneyard?

An airplane boneyard, also known as an aircraft graveyard or aircraft boneyard, is a storage facility where retired or decommissioned aircraft are stored. These facilities are typically located in deserts or remote areas with dry climates, as the dry air helps prevent corrosion and deterioration of the aircraft.

2. Why are airplanes stored in boneyards?

Airplanes are stored in boneyards for various reasons. Some aircraft may be temporarily stored due to a decrease in demand for air travel or during times of economic downturn. Others may be retired due to age, high maintenance costs, or technological advancements. Boneyards provide a cost-effective solution for airlines and aircraft manufacturers to store and preserve these aircraft until they can be sold, leased, or dismantled for parts.

3. What happens to airplanes in boneyards?

When airplanes are stored in boneyards, they undergo a process called preservation. This involves removing valuable components, such as engines or avionics, for reuse or sale. The remaining aircraft are then parked in designated areas, where they are protected from the elements and monitored for maintenance. Some aircraft may eventually be sold to other airlines or countries, while others are dismantled and recycled for their valuable metals and parts.

4. Can anyone visit an airplane boneyard?

Visiting an airplane boneyard is usually not open to the general public due to security and safety concerns. However, some boneyards offer guided tours or have viewing areas where visitors can observe the aircraft from a distance. These tours often provide interesting insights into the aviation industry and the history of the aircraft stored in the boneyard. It’s always best to check with the specific boneyard or contact local aviation enthusiasts for any available opportunities to visit.