Where Do Old GA Aircraft Go To Die?
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Where Do Old GA Aircraft Go To Die?
I have wondered for some time now where old GA Aircraft go once their serviceable life is over.
I was particularly reminded of this as there was a program on Discovery the other day about scrapping old airliners in the desert in the US.
Well this got me wondering. Who / Where are light aircraft scrapped, especially in Europe.
Any light cast on this is of great interest, to me any way.
I was particularly reminded of this as there was a program on Discovery the other day about scrapping old airliners in the desert in the US.
Well this got me wondering. Who / Where are light aircraft scrapped, especially in Europe.
Any light cast on this is of great interest, to me any way.
By and large they either...
- Get left to deteriorate in the corner of an airfield somewhere, or
- If they are considered for any reason beyond economic repair and stripped by whichever operator has them at the time for spares, (hence you'll often find old fuselages with little else left behind hangars), or...
- Get bought by Kingy.
G
- Get left to deteriorate in the corner of an airfield somewhere, or
- If they are considered for any reason beyond economic repair and stripped by whichever operator has them at the time for spares, (hence you'll often find old fuselages with little else left behind hangars), or...
- Get bought by Kingy.
G
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The flippant answer (which of course, you wouldn't get from me!!) is into the ground (generally at a high rate of knots!!). 
I know a previous CFI of mine used to run a company called 'Airbroken', which dealt in surplus GA bits and pieces.
Generally, external airframe parts would be mostly scrap (due to corrosion / certification issues), but I'm sure that a lot of engines, instruments, flying controls and cockpit fittings get 'recycled'.
I know a previous CFI of mine used to run a company called 'Airbroken', which dealt in surplus GA bits and pieces.
Generally, external airframe parts would be mostly scrap (due to corrosion / certification issues), but I'm sure that a lot of engines, instruments, flying controls and cockpit fittings get 'recycled'.
Did not think they died, given the number of 1960 era GA aircraft still kicking around these parts and still flying charter and rpt.
Nothing like flying around members of parliament in a 1967 401!!!!!!
Nothing like flying around members of parliament in a 1967 401!!!!!!
G-Fox as very few light aircraft have a defined fatigue life or number of flight cycles limit, theoretically they can last forever.
It's a simple matter of economics. When the value of the parts required to maintain airworthiness exceed either you bank account or the intrinsic value of the aeroplane you sell it. Unless you really like it, then you lie to your partner, get a new credit card and keep the old gal flying
It's a simple matter of economics. When the value of the parts required to maintain airworthiness exceed either you bank account or the intrinsic value of the aeroplane you sell it. Unless you really like it, then you lie to your partner, get a new credit card and keep the old gal flying
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Genghis,
Thanks for that, but you've got it all wrong - I buy serviceable aircraft... they tend to die in short order after I become the custodian...!
Clumsy Kingy
Thanks for that, but you've got it all wrong - I buy serviceable aircraft... they tend to die in short order after I become the custodian...!
Clumsy Kingy
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Good point on the economical front. That was more what I was getting at. After all an aircraft is similar to a car in that respect. There just comes a point that for all your love for it the bank manager says no!
Another good point on 60 / 70's aircraft still out there. The US GA aircraft were built to last thats for sure.
Another good point on 60 / 70's aircraft still out there. The US GA aircraft were built to last thats for sure.
We probably own 2 of the oldest - but nicest, smartest and best-equipped Cherokee 140Cs still on a UK public transport CofA.
Nearly 50 000 hours of PPL training between the pair of them and they still soldier on very happily!
Nearly 50 000 hours of PPL training between the pair of them and they still soldier on very happily!
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BEags, no matter how shiny they look, they're still 140's! Climb like bricks....
How many a/c are scrapped each year in the U.K? I've only ever seen dead ones in bits behind engineering hangars, or on scrapheap challenge.
How many a/c are scrapped each year in the U.K? I've only ever seen dead ones in bits behind engineering hangars, or on scrapheap challenge.
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Speaking of old aircraft, can anyone from UK or Europe give me some idea of how much money would be paid for a nice condition 1979 Cessna 152 with vfr equipment and 8/10 interior and paint? In the states it would probably bring $25-29,000, but with the strengthened Euro and weakened US dollar, it might be worth a good deal more money in Europe or UK. total time 6000; 1100 hours to next overhaul.
finfly1 a UK reggistered C152 like that would probably fetch about 18-20,000 of our British pounds. Don't know how much of the mainland money it would get.
From that you can deduct the shipping cost and the registration change. Proabably get you $25-29,000 after all the arseing about.
Easier and quicker to sell it in the US of A mate.
From that you can deduct the shipping cost and the registration change. Proabably get you $25-29,000 after all the arseing about.
Easier and quicker to sell it in the US of A mate.
