An airplane graveyard is an area in which formerly active aircraft are decommissioned and scrapped. The most famous example, in Arizona, has provided countless parts for in-service aircraft. However, the process of decommissioning itself is not the most environmentally friendly. Not only does it take up land, millions of tons of scrap metal lie unused every day. Luckily, there are ways to remedy this.
The easiest way to alleviate this problem is by using the metal for projects other than aviation. Although harder to receive, the components will have a more “productive” lifespan as a car than staying in the desert forever. One advantage is the aluminum alloy that most decommissioned aircraft use. It’s both lightweight and durable. From sheds to even bathrooms, plane metal will undoubtedly be effective.
My favourite method, on the other hand, is urban decommissioning. This repurposes existing aircraft into homes, restaurants, and hotels that can be placed even in the hearts of cities. Imagine the awe of a little child when he sees the amazing sights of an aircraft right near his house. These projects add a little quirkiness to cities as well as promote tourism.
There are many ways to improve decommissioning sustainability. Although not easy fixes, they all will yield positive results for the community at large and for spreading aviation to areas never reached before.