Will Some of the Aircraft That Are Stored in the Desert Eventually fly Again?

What is it Like to Fly an Airplane that has Been Collecting Dust for Several Years?

The Region’s Arid Climate

The Southwestern United States is home to several seriously big airplane storage areas that house thousands of retired, no longer in service aircraft. These massive stretches of desert are often referred to as “boneyards.” The sites take advantage of the region’s arid climate, which helps to prevent corrosion and preserve an aircraft’s airframe and system components. The top three American Southwest desert airplane storage areas for retired aircraft are listed below.

Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (AMARG), Arizona

The Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona, is home to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG), the largest aircraft storage and preservation facility in the world. Often referred to as “The Boneyard,” AMARG spans over 2,600 acres and stores around 3,000 aircraft. The facility supports the U.S. military and government agencies, providing storage, reclamation, and regeneration services. The aircraft stored here range from fighter jets and bombers to transport planes and helicopters.

Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA), California

Located in Victorville, California, the Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA) is another significant aircraft storage site. SCLA was once George Air Force Base and now serves as a civilian aviation facility. The airport’s dry climate makes it ideal for the long-term storage of commercial aircraft. SCLA is home to approximately 500 to 600 aircraft, primarily from commercial airlines. This facility often serves as a temporary storage location for aircraft awaiting return to service or undergoing maintenance.

Pinal Airpark, Arizona

Pinal Airpark, located in Marana, Arizona, is a major storage and maintenance hub for commercial aircraft. It spans about 2,000 acres and houses approximately 250 to 300 aircraft. The airpark primarily serves commercial airlines and aircraft leasing companies, providing storage, maintenance, and dismantling services. The dry conditions at Pinal Airpark make it an excellent location for preserving aircraft that are either retired or in long-term storage, awaiting potential future use or sale.

Why The Desert is a Good Choice

It really comes down to temperature and humidity. Simply stated, a lack of rain and moisture helps to substantially slow the corrosion process. On the other hand, desert climates can, at times, also be damaging to aircraft components, engines, and airframes. For example, storm damage happens on occasion, and there is the small risk of damage caused by insects, birds, and wildlife. All said the desert is still the most logical place to park aircraft slated for long-term storage.

Spreading Wings Where Open Space Is Abundant

One of the key factors in choosing to store aircraft in the desert is simply the abundance of wide-open unrestricted space. Vast open areas in the desert means that large numbers of even the biggest aircraft in the world can be parked row after row, displaying many familiar and unfamiliar airline liveries. Also of note is the cost of land acquisition situated in desert terrain, where it is much lower than would be the case at, for example, a commercial airport. Another advantage of desert terrain is that it is typically a naturally compacted, very hard surface, requiring no expensive paving.

Some Aircraft Will Get a Second Lease on Life

Not all aircraft that are parked in a boneyard are destined to spend the rest of their life there. In fact, many aircraft are parked for weeks, months or even decades only to be sold and repurposed with another airline either carrying passengers or cargo. However, there are many safety-related concerns for pilots who are tasked with retrieving an aircraft from a boneyard. Airplanes require routine maintenance, care, and cleaning to ensure that they are airworthy. Pilots know the risks involved with flying an airplane out of a boneyard after a long time in storage.

Time and the Elements Do Take a Toll

The longer that an airplane is parked outside in the elements, even in the desert, the more time related damage occurs. For example, hydraulic hoses that are accustomed to handling 3000PSI of pressure of highly caustic hydraulic fluid tend to crack and corrode over time. In addition, large aircraft tires will also crack and corrode with time. Avionics on the flight deck are not immune to time associated damage, as well. Accumulating dust and dirt in an airplane’s environmental control systems, such as air conditioning and pressurization, also has a detrimental effect.

A Thorough Maintenance Inspection and Pilot Pre-Flight

For these reasons, it is essential that an airplane that has not been taken into the air for many years or even decades be completely inspected and repaired by qualified airframe and powerplant maintenance personnel. Every detail of the airplane’s condition should be catalogued, with damaged or defective items either replaced or repaired. This will help to ensure that pilots will not experience unnecessary hazards when and the airplane takes flight for the first time after resting in the desert.

Substantial Financial Investment

Airlines benefit from acquiring used aircraft from the desert for several reasons, primarily centered around cost savings, flexibility, and much faster availability. One of the most significant advantages is substantially lower acquisition related costs. Prior service used aircraft are generally much more affordable than new ones, allowing airlines to grow their fleets or replace aging aircraft without making a significant financial investment. This cost-effectiveness is particularly appealing for smaller airlines, budget carriers, or those looking to enter new markets with minimal capital expenditure.

Changing Market Conditions

Additionally, purchasing used commercial jet aircraft offers air carriers greater flexibility. Airlines can more easily adapt to rapidly changing market conditions by securing specific aircraft types that suit their current operational and routing needs, such as responding to an uptick in regional travel demand or expanding long-haul routes. In addition, used aircraft are usually available for virtually immediate delivery, unlike new planes that often come with a long lag time or waiting period due to manufacturing lead times and order backlogs. This is indeed the case today, as Boeing and Airbus are both struggling to keep up with aircraft orders.

Reducing Training and Maintenance Costs

Buying used aircraft also provides a convenience for airlines wishing to maintain fleet commonality, specifically when the used planes are of the same make and model as their existing fleet. This reduces flight training, simulator, and maintenance costs, as the airlines’ crews and technicians are already trained and current in a particular aircraft type. Overall, purchasing used aircraft enables airlines to manage costs more effectively while maintaining improved operational flexibility. The boneyards of the American Southwest play a crucial role in keeping both domestic and international airline operations as well as military operations running smoothly.

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