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)

[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

[flying_tyger]

ahhhhh man, thats gross!!

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

[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/n...pshop&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]

"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:

[flying_tyger]

who does that funky peice of kit belong to?

[A330AV8R]

I want !

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

OUCHHHH

[Flightluuvr]

Wow that is an amazing piece of work!

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.