Sounds like something DH would enjoy. It is a bit disconcerting that the material in the planes can't be used. I suppose it will be a small mine for future generations.

Great pics/video! Why are so many engines removed? Do they reuse them? Why were cockpit windows covered along with other parts, again, recycle purposes? Thanks for the glimpse. We don't get to Tucson all too often lbut will check this out next time.

Oh, it will all get reused. They are out in the desert because they will last a long time out there, like Pharaoh's tomb.

Some of panes will fly again when airlines decide there are enough passengers. Some of them will have new lives in Nairobi and Tegucigalpa or flying roses or whatever from Colombia to Miami.

Some of the hardware will get used to repair other airplanes. The engines have been pulled for reuse or spare parts, the window "glass" is covered to prevent UV damage.

Whatever is left is mostly high grade aluminum, and as the OP suggests it can all become Coke cans, but it may well go through lots of other incarnations before then. High quality aluminum is highly recyclable. Then there is copper wire and on and on.

No, the desert is just a way station while brokers figure out what is more valuable as airframes and what is more valuable as scrap.

emalloy,

I think DH & any aviation buff would enjoy being out there. I don't think the site I visited is open to the general public but there are some other cool "Airplane Boneyard" museums around Tucson.

By the way Ackislander post is pretty accurate of what happens to these airplanes..

Some airlines do place airplanes here for temporary storage or maintenance repairs. However, many of them are too old and have exceeded their useful life to be safely returned to the skies.

DebitNM,

I believe the engines are removed for the most part when the airframe is no longer useful or safe for flying. Airplanes require routine inspections and after so many years of service the cost of these inspections is cost prohibitive (somewhere in the range of $1-2 million dollars).

A particular airplane may have engines that are not as old as the airframe with a useful life beyond the airframe. These engines can be rebuilt or used for spare parts and are placed on the ground just for storage.

The windows and most non metal items are covered to protect them from the elements. There can be vicious storms out here that can do a lot of damage, especially the sandstorms.

Ackislander,

Nice post

DMB - if you are ever in Denver area, check out Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Musuem, I think you'd like it.

http://www.wingsmuseum.org/

Thanks, DMB. My father commanded aircraft maintenance squadrons (heavy and field) the whole time I was growing up. I didn't listen to much else, but the Old Man's knowledge of keepin' them flyin' impressed me even when I was at my most teenage obnoxious.

These days, I get a thrill looking at all those Pratt and Whitney radials on "Ice Pilots" and imagining how they keep them flying.

DebitNM,

Thanks for the tip... If you can get me tickets to see Manning & The Broncos play I'll be glad to be in Denver and check out "The Wings Museum" while I'm there