why are aircraft white?

[flying_tyger]

random topic and i didnt really know where to put it - but why are so many aircraft white (the only ones that we could really think of that weren't are easyJet).

Is this a cost thing - as it might be expensive to logo them all up, or anything to do with the white reflecting the sun - better performance etc - or are we totally off the mark?!

Cheers!

FT

[Clockwork Mouse]

I would guess two main reasons:
1. Looks smart.
2. Keeps cool (reflects sun).
Our flying helmets used to be white for the second reason until someone decided we needed to camouflage ourselves in case we were spotted lurking in the cockpit. Then we went green!

[flying_tyger]

Thank you!

If anyone else has any ideas or comments, let me know.

Ta

FT

[6080ft]

If you recall the old Federal Express colour scheme was mainly purple over the fuselage of the aircraft. When they changed the corporate image to FedEx one of the changes was the colour schemes of the aircraft - they went mainly white with only a purple tail. Apparently purple paint was heavier than white so this resulted in considerable cost savings over the long term I'm told.

Also I suppose, as white will readily reflect heat (or light) less money would be spent on keeping the cabin temp right for the pax.

However white aircraft are usually pretty dirty looking up close - one of the trade offs I guess.

Oh and one last thought - white makes them easier to see if one accidently gets parked in trees or something!!!

6080ft

[Ropey Pilot]

Reflecting heat may be useful for keeping pax cool on the ground, but the majority of flight is in an air temp of roughly minus 60 degrees C! (Only marginally colder than the average UK summer temp on the ground):D

[6080ft]

Ropey
your right - I meant keeping it cool on the ground. I also thinking more along the lines of (in the case of FedEx) keeping live stock cool on the ground.

6080ft

[DX Wombat]

They aren't all white (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=852448&WxsIERv=Fubegf%20Fxlina%203%20Inevnag%20100&Wm=0&WdsYXMg=Cvax&QtODMg=Xbyqvat%20-%20Inzqehc%20%28RXIQ%29&ERDLTkt=Qraznex&ktODMp=Znl%2015%2C%202005&BP=0&WNEb25u=Zbtraf%20Whuy&xsIERvdWdsY=BR-SQR&MgTUQtODMgKE=Gnxrbss%20jvgu%20fbzr%20cnenwhzcref&YXMgTUQtODMgKERD=1075&NEb25uZWxs=2005-06-05%2008%3A04%3A26&ODJ9dvCE=&O89Dcjdg=FU1886&static=yes&width=1024&height=695&sok=JURER%20%20%28ZNGPU%20%28nvepensg%2Cnveyvar%2Ccynpr%2Ccu bgb_qngr%2Cpbhagel%2Cerznex%2Ccubgbtencure%2Crznvy%2Clrne%2C ert%2Cnvepensg_trarevp%2Cpa%2Cpbqr%29%20NTNVAFG%20%28%27%2B% 22cvax%22%20%2B%22fxlina%22%27%20VA%20OBBYRNA%20ZBQR%29%29%2 0%20BEQRE%20OL%20cubgb_vq%20QRFP&photo_nr=3&prev_id=856566&next_id=845489) :ok:

[flying_tyger]

ahhhhh man, thats gross!! :yuk:

but its still got white patches on!! ;)

FT

[Photo]

Some Other non-white civil aircraft.

LTU A330
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/673149/L/

Aer Lingus 737
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/667844/L/

KLM 737
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/667845/L/

Northwest DC-10
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/620183/L/

Helvetic Fokker 100
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/619666/L/

[flying_tyger]

think only the helvetic counts :p

[Maude Charlee]

Since when were easyjet a/c not white? They have no more colouring on them than most other airliners. If you want to see orange jets, go take a look at Braniff's paint schemes back in the 70's. Hey man!

[Mr @ Spotty M]

Lease companies normally require a returned aircraft to be painted all white, unless it asks the returning airline not too, because it has someone lined up for it.

[visibility3miles]

Don't forget the mingo Porter, the purple painted turbo plane with the pink flamingo on top!

Or do I detect a trend in jump planes and unusual paint schemes...

https://www.interartive.com/secure/normankent/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=20&category_id=d01fe176461e4e2da3494ed43440ca48&option=com_phpshop&Itemid=1

[oulton35]

I can't read this post without thinking of the BLACK Playboy DC-9 that was used during the 70's(?)

[a is dum]

http://photos.airliners.net/photos/4/0/3/343304.jpg

"Big Bunny One"

[Alty]

Southwest, American, United (mid-90's to mid 00's), KLM, Northwest, DHL are just a few non-whites that immediately come to mind. Thousands of airplanes in that group.

[a is dum]

One of the best liveries:

http://www.truthorfiction.com/images/mi-24-2.jpg


http://www.truthorfiction.com/images/mi-24-1.jpg

[flying_tyger]

who does that funky peice of kit belong to?

[A330AV8R]

I WANT IT ! WANNA HOOK ITUP TO MY PS2 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OUCHHHH:ok:

[Flightluuvr]

Wow that is an amazing piece of work! :eek:

White paint is less expensive because colors usually, maybe even always have to be custom mixed according to each airline's exact corporate logo colors. That can get very expensive. Also, white serves as a perfect basecoat for colored markings because it does not tint color when painted over.

[barit1]

I am told (but can't confirm) this ship required an oversize APU and/or A/C packs to keep it cool.

(And the paint job may have only been part of the problem...):cool:

[Onan the Clumsy]

...oh yeah? (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=860322&WxsIERv=FTF%202-32&Wm=0&WdsYXMg=Hagvgyrq%20%28Ubabyhyh%20Fbnevat%20Pyho%20Vap.%29&QtODMg=Va%20Syvtug&ERDLTkt=HFN%20-%20Unjnvv&ktODMp=Znl%2019%2C%202005&BP=1&WNEb25u=Punq%20Gubznf&xsIERvdWdsY=A5716F&MgTUQtODMgKE=N%20qenzngvp%20ivrj%20bire%20Xn%60ran%20Cbvag%2 C%20gur%20jrfgreazbfg%20cbvag%20ba%20B%60nuh.%20Pnaba%20300Q %20100-400zz%20S%2F4.5-5.6%20Y%20VF&YXMgTUQtODMgKERD=860&NEb25uZWxs=2005-06-16%2005%3A38%3A40&ODJ9dvCE=&O89Dcjdg=59&static=yes&width=1024&height=695&sok=JURER%20%20%28nvepensg_trarevp%20%3D%20%27Fpujrvmre%27%2 9%20%20BEQRE%20OL%20cubgb_vq%20QRFP&photo_nr=2&prev_id=890480&next_id=802915)

[tipsy]

Conan, the comment "Sailplanes - glass or carbon - only come in one colour." still stands, the SGS 2-32, it is of all metal construction.

Refer the Sail Plane directory at http://www.sailplanedirectory.com/PlaneDetails.cfm?planeID=313

tipsy
:yuk: :yuk: furball:yuk: :yuk:

[Oshkosh George]

I wasn't aware that "sailplane" meant a non-metal aircraft!?

[tipsy]

OK, Sailplanes made of (fibre)glass or carbon (fibre) come in only one colour.

The use of the SGS 2-32 being an all metal airframe as an example of a coloured airframe is the same as comparing apples with oranges.

Who cares anyway


tipsy
:yuk: :yuk: furball:yuk: :yuk:
Don't lie, cheat or steal, the Government hates competition.:ok:

[ComJam]

we're not all white! :)

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=806676&WxsIERv=Qnffnhyg%20Snypba%20%28Zlfgrer%29%2020P&Wm=0&WdsYXMg=SEN&QtODMg=Jnegba%20%28RTAB%29&ERDLTkt=HX%20-%20Ratynaq&ktODMp=Znepu%2024%2C%202005&BP=1&WNEb25u=Anguna%20Qnjf&xsIERvdWdsY=T-SENG&MgTUQtODMgKE=&YXMgTUQtODMgKERD=73&NEb25uZWxs=2005-03-30%2016%3A14%3A21&ODJ9dvCE=&O89Dcjdg=87&static=yes&width=1152&height=780&sok=JURER%20%20%28nveyvar%20%3D%20%27SEN%27%29%20%20BEQRE%20 OL%20cubgb_vq%20QRFP&photo_nr=8&prev_id=806677&next_id=801884

[smith]

In the past American and Northwest aircraft had no paintwork at all, they just had the shiny bare metal with a stripe along the side. Just think of the weight of paint required to cover the likes of a 747 or a 767, and multiply this by the number of flights in its lifesapan and a lot of fuel would be saved. Also looked quite good too.

[Aesir]

who does that funky peice of kit belong to?

I believe that the Mi24 "Hind" helicopter belongs to th Hungarian military!

[Bumz_Rush]

cos they are.....Bumz

[Antoninus]

Doesn't white paint also makes the work of detecting cracks due to metal fatigue easier?
It's a question. I don't know but I vaguely remember something about this. Maybe I'm totally misguided.. :suspect:
I was told that planes are white (generally) because they were invented before the advent of color photography.
I doubt it but it's worth mentioning...:}

And that Hind helicopter is really great. THAT is custom painting.... 15 coat lacker maybe? Chrome plated turbine casing?
A pair of big, pink, furry dice hanging on the rear view mirror?

[flying_tyger]

the FRA plane - is that based in BOH by any chance?

[ComJam]

Flying Tiger,

No, Teesside.

[NZLeardriver]

Smith

The unpainted plane is a lot lighter, and you do save on fuel. However the savings are offset by added costs of maintaining the polished surface. (anti-corrosion, polishing etc)
A fully painted 747-400 weighs about 500kg more than the polished, and the fuel savings for a full year are approx. $132,000. With fuel prices going up, maybe it will be profitable in the future.

[FlyVMO]

I tend to agree with Flightluuvr-
On those aircraf that are white, cost is likely one of the deciding factors.
A few years ago the NYPD changed the livery of its patrol cars from the old Blue base with white lettering, to the current white base w/ blue lettering. The reason given was the cost of the custom blue paint was too high, and much less is required to do just the lettering.
Now imagine how much more paint goes into an aircraft, and the cost of the basic paint, being that its formulated to withstand the rigors of aviation.
Im not an airframe or paint guy, or an accountant though, so its just my opinion.
A lot of money by the time your done, no matter what color you paint the things!!

[visibility3miles]

Eagle helicopter paint job

http://www.snopes.com/photos/military/eaglecopter.asp

----------------
Red paint is a bad idea because it tends to absorb the shorter wave length light (e.g., blue and ultraviolet) and fade faster.

[Sqwark2004]

Here's a few others that aren't white:

Virgin Blue (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=909413&WxsIERv=Obrvat%20737-81D&Wm=0&WdsYXMg=Ivetva%20Oyhr%20Nveyvarf&QtODMg=Oevfonar%20%28-%20Rntyr%20Snez%29%20%28OAR%20%2F%20LOOA%29&ERDLTkt=Nhfgenyvn%20-%20Dhrrafynaq&ktODMp=Znl%2018%2C%202005&BP=1&WNEb25u=Qneera%20Ubjvr&xsIERvdWdsY=IU-IBW&MgTUQtODMgKE=Oynfgvat%20bss%20ejl%2001%20n%20Ivetva%20Oyhr%2 0738%20pnhtug%20shyy%20senzr.&YXMgTUQtODMgKERD=64&NEb25uZWxs=2005-08-29%2016%3A54%3A57&ODJ9dvCE=&O89Dcjdg=30787%2F1234&static=yes&width=1280&height=857&sok=JURER%20%20%28ZNGPU%20%28nvepensg%2Cnveyvar%2Ccynpr%2Ccu bgb_qngr%2Cpbhagel%2Cerznex%2Ccubgbtencure%2Crznvy%2Clrne%2C ert%2Cnvepensg_trarevp%2Cpa%2Cpbqr%29%20NTNVAFG%20%28%27%2B% 22Ivetva%22%20%2B%22Oyhr%22%27%20VA%20OBBYRNA%20ZBQR%29%29%2 0%20BEQRE%20OL%20cubgb_vq%20QRFP&photo_nr=7&prev_id=909576&next_id=909357)

Virgin Blue #2 (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=910985&WxsIERv=Obrvat%20737-7SR&Wm=0&WdsYXMg=Ivetva%20Oyhr%20Nveyvarf&QtODMg=Nqrynvqr%20-%20Vagreangvbany%20%28NQY%20%2F%20LCNQ%29&ERDLTkt=Nhfgenyvn%20-%20Fbhgu%20Nhfgenyvn&ktODMp=Nhthfg%2020%2C%202005&BP=1&WNEb25u=Zvfun%20Cbcbi&xsIERvdWdsY=IU-IOL&MgTUQtODMgKE=%27Ivetvavn%20Oyhr%27%20wrg-oynfgvat%20jngre%20sebz%20gur%20ehajnl%20fhesnpr%20va%20Nqry nvqr.&YXMgTUQtODMgKERD=61&NEb25uZWxs=2005-08-31%2003%3A19%3A25&ODJ9dvCE=&O89Dcjdg=34323%2F1751&static=yes&width=1200&height=812&sok=JURER%20%20%28ZNGPU%20%28nvepensg%2Cnveyvar%2Ccynpr%2Ccu bgb_qngr%2Cpbhagel%2Cerznex%2Ccubgbtencure%2Crznvy%2Clrne%2C ert%2Cnvepensg_trarevp%2Cpa%2Cpbqr%29%20NTNVAFG%20%28%27%2B% 22Ivetva%22%20%2B%22Oyhr%22%27%20VA%20OBBYRNA%20ZBQR%29%29%2 0%20BEQRE%20OL%20cubgb_vq%20QRFP&photo_nr=1&prev_id=&next_id=910984)

Freedom Air (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=904597&WxsIERv=Nveohf%20N320-232&Wm=0&WdsYXMg=Serrqbz%20Nve&QtODMg=Flqarl%20-%20Xvatfsbeq%20Fzvgu%20Vagreangvbany%20%28Znfpbg%29%20%28FLQ %20%2F%20LFFL%29&ERDLTkt=Nhfgenyvn%20-%20Arj%20Fbhgu%20Jnyrf&ktODMp=Nhthfg%2012%2C%202005&BP=0&WNEb25u=WhzobWvz747&xsIERvdWdsY=MX-BWX&MgTUQtODMgKE=Fvzcyr%20fcneyvat&YXMgTUQtODMgKERD=48&NEb25uZWxs=2005-08-21%2013%3A11%3A25&ODJ9dvCE=&O89Dcjdg=2445&static=yes&width=1024&height=695&sok=JURER%20%20%28ZNGPU%20%28nvepensg%2Cnveyvar%2Ccynpr%2Ccu bgb_qngr%2Cpbhagel%2Cerznex%2Ccubgbtencure%2Crznvy%2Clrne%2C ert%2Cnvepensg_trarevp%2Cpa%2Cpbqr%29%20NTNVAFG%20%28%27%2B% 22Serrqbz%22%20%2B%22Nve%22%27%20VA%20OBBYRNA%20ZBQR%29%29%2 0%20beqre%20ol%20cubgb_vq%20QRFP&photo_nr=14&prev_id=904656&next_id=904311)

Origin Pacific (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=823292&WxsIERv=Oevgvfu%20Nrebfcnpr%20ONr-3102%20Wrgfgernz%2031&Wm=0&WdsYXMg=Bevtva%20Cnpvsvp&QtODMg=Jryyvatgba%20-%20Vagreangvbany%20%28JYT%20%2F%20AMJA%29&ERDLTkt=Arj%20Mrnynaq&ktODMp=Ncevy%2016%2C%202005&BP=0&WNEb25u=Wnfba%20Nycvar&xsIERvdWdsY=MX-WFV&MgTUQtODMgKE=Jryyvatgba%20vf%20irel%20cubgbtencure%20sevraqy l%2C%20jvgu%20n%20ybg%20bs%20nernf%20gb%20ivrj%20gur%20nvepe nsgf%2C%20guvf%20vf%20bar%20bs%20gur%20orfg%20fcbgf&YXMgTUQtODMgKERD=157&NEb25uZWxs=2005-04-22%2008%3A58%3A33&ODJ9dvCE=&O89Dcjdg=761&static=yes&width=1280&height=972&sok=JURER%20%20%28pbhagel%20%3D%20%27Arj%20Mrnynaq%27%29%20N AQ%20%28ZNGPU%20%28nvepensg%2Cnveyvar%2Ccynpr%2Ccubgb_qngr%2 Cpbhagel%2Cerznex%2Ccubgbtencure%2Crznvy%2Clrne%2Cert%2Cnvep ensg_trarevp%2Cpa%2Cpbqr%29%20NTNVAFG%20%28%27%2B%22Wrgfgern z%22%27%20VA%20OBBYRNA%20ZBQR%29%29%20%20beqre%20ol%20cubgb_ vq%20QRFP&photo_nr=21&prev_id=824034&next_id=821833) The top is grey.

Korean Air (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=818449&WxsIERv=Obrvat%20777-2O5%2FRE&Wm=0&WdsYXMg=Xberna%20Nve&QtODMg=Nhpxynaq%20-%20Vagreangvbany%20%28NXY%20%2F%20AMNN%29&ERDLTkt=Arj%20Mrnynaq&ktODMp=Ncevy%2010%2C%202005&BP=1&WNEb25u=Pbyva%20Uhagre&xsIERvdWdsY=UY7531&MgTUQtODMgKE=Cnexrq%20bhg%20gb%20gur%20fvqr%20hagvy%20gur%20 arkg%20syvtug%20juvyr%20na%20Bevtva%20Cnpvsvp%20Wrgfgernz%20 gnkvf%20va%20sebz%20n%20ynaqvat%20ba%2023E.&YXMgTUQtODMgKERD=827&NEb25uZWxs=2005-04-15%2019%3A27%3A57&ODJ9dvCE=&O89Dcjdg=27946%2F62&static=yes&width=1024&height=694&sok=JURER%20%20%28pbhagel%20%3D%20%27Arj%20Mrnynaq%27%29%20N AQ%20%28ZNGPU%20%28nvepensg%2Cnveyvar%2Ccynpr%2Ccubgb_qngr%2 Cpbhagel%2Cerznex%2Ccubgbtencure%2Crznvy%2Clrne%2Cert%2Cnvep ensg_trarevp%2Cpa%2Cpbqr%29%20NTNVAFG%20%28%27%2B%22Wrgfgern z%22%27%20VA%20OBBYRNA%20ZBQR%29%29%20%20beqre%20ol%20cubgb_ vq%20QRFP&photo_nr=23&prev_id=821833&next_id=811521)

[simon brown]

As a derivation to the original question why do a lot of inner sections of aircraft end up being painted an greeny olive drab colour?

[SyllogismCheck]

White paint:

Lighter for a given coverage.
Shows up cracking/defects in the structure.
Looks smart, inviting and safe when clean.
Makes advertising stand out.
Beats the cr@p out of rapidly oxidising bare aluminium.
Not prone to bleaching/colour degradation when stood in the sun... hence longer duration between re-paints.

Guess at the answer.... ;)

[Ghostie31]

Bit of pointless knowledge! paint on a 747 weighs 540kg's!!!! quite impressive.