Apologies if an old topic, but I only just saw this (UK) Channel 4 ident using one of the big plane graveyards in the USA (ignore the program announcement voiceover). It first went out in 2010, it seems.

I've never understood the point of maintaining such extensive "graveyards" of obsolescent aircraft. It's not as though there's going to be a sudden need for any of those ancient aircraft to be "returned to service!"What a waste of resources...

There must be a reason for those places. Does anyone know what it is?

I've never understood the point of maintaining such extensive "graveyards" of obsolescent aircraft. It's not as though there's going to be a sudden need for any of those ancient aircraft to be "returned to service!"What a waste of resources...

You're kidding, right?Most of these aircraft end up being used for replacement parts for aircraft still flying and are then recycled for their scrap metal.

I've never understood the point of maintaining such extensive "graveyards" of obsolescent aircraft. It's not as though there's going to be a sudden need for any of those ancient aircraft to be "returned to service!"What a waste of resources...

They're kept in a dry climate for a reason. No corrosion. They can be A) pulled back into service or sold and put back into service or B ) cannibalized.

You're kidding, right?Most of these aircraft end up being used for replacement parts for aircraft still flying and are then recycled for their scrap metal.

Somehow I cannot imagine the B-36 being recalled to service, and there can't be that many spare parts required since AFAIK there aren't any still flying. In any case, it's government owned land and is undoubtedly has very low maintenance costs... ;)

Somehow I cannot imagine the B-36 being recalled to service, and there can't be that many spare parts required since AFAIK there aren't any still flying. In any case, it's government owned land and is undoubtedly has very low maintenance costs... ;)

The engines and parts can be used in other aircraft besides the ones they were made for.

The engines and parts can be used in other aircraft besides the ones they were made for.

Well, that is the point. I've watched many newer aircraft such as B737, A320, A330 etc. being flown into KGYY over the past few years and being scrapped within a few short months. After the engines, avionics, control surfaces and so on are pulled, it only takes about five hours for the remaining hulk to be pulped to shreds, loaded into dump trucks and hauled away to the recyclers.There are several ex-Lufthansa 737's being ferried over from Europe for scrapping over the next few months. There are also a couple of repossesed A320's anxiously awaiting a new owner.

For the most part I think the boneyard planes are meant to inspire awe :)I have to suspect the threat of returning huge numbers of Vietnam era aircraft to service is more myth than real.The idea seems like a relic of the Cold War to me. But for some agency they’re clearly worth more intact than scrapped.And as future scrap they’re certainly safe from the elements :)If you ever melted them down you’d have a war-supply of aluminum and titanium on hand.You do see service ready aircraft mothballed too.So the above doesn’t apply to them all…just the majority of those combat aircraft.

Well, that is the point. I've watched many newer aircraft such as B737, A320, A330 etc. being flown into KGYY over the past few years and being scrapped within a few short months. After the engines, avionics, control surfaces and so on are pulled, it only takes about five hours for the remaining hulk to be pulped to shreds, loaded into dump trucks and hauled away to the recyclers.There are several ex-Lufthansa 737's being ferried over from Europe for scrapping over the next few months. There are also a couple of repossesed A320's anxiously awaiting a new owner.

That is the thing with these new aircraft they get more money from the scrap then they would from using them as spares. There is an abundance of spares and therfore don't need to be kept in the boneyard.The older aircraft are still around because the spares off of them go to companies that operate these aircraft and are worth more intact than melted down.