Pilot shows what it’s like inside restricted aircraft cemetery where 2,000 planes are waiting to be recycled
- This aircraft cemetery is filled with over 2,000 retired planes
- 85 percent of aircraft weight can be salvaged and used again
- Plus you might recognize some of the famous flyers
Published on Nov 04, 2024 at 9:04 PM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Last updated on Nov 05, 2024 at 4:28 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Alessandro Renesis
This unique aircraft cemetery is filled with over 2,000 retired planes.
Each plane has been grounded and decommissioned but has a unique story to tell.
They’re sitting in the middle of nowhere waiting to be recycled.
In fact, 85 percent of their weight can be salvaged and used again.
DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie
The huge aircraft cemetery
Content creator and FAA-licensed pilot, Kate Broug, is best known for posting all things aviation.
Most of the 2,000 planes sitting have been overwhelmed by nature, with greenery making them a part of the landscape.
Clinton McJenkin from BAS Part Sales owns the lot and explains to Broug how his team salvages valuable aircraft parts.
In fact, up to 85 percent of an aircraft’s weight can be recycled to reduce landfill.
It’s a fascinating insight into what happens to planes after their final flight when they’re grounded for good.
He also encourages aviation enthusiasts and collectors to keep historic planes alive.
How the planes end up on the site
McJenkin explains that many aircraft end up in the cemetery due to pilot errors.
A whopping 53 percent of aviation accidents come down to human error, often related to fuel mismanagement.
Some of these aircraft may actually be familiar.
When they feature deeper into the woods, the aircraft graveyard features the actual Lockheed Jetstar from the 1964 James Bond film, Goldfinger.
This aircraft transported 007 across the Atlantic under the watchful eyes of none other than Pussy Galore.
It’s just like the Lockheed Jetstar that this man converted into the most insane Airbnb.
A move towards sustainability in air travel means the market for recycled aircraft parts is going from strength to strength.
Keeping aircraft materials in circulation is currently worth a massive $2 billion market.
Let’s take a look at the biggest aircraft graveyards across the world.
Want more? Europe’s largest aircraft graveyard is an airport that hosts no passengers.
With a dual English and French degree and NCTJ diploma, Amelia began her career doing award-winning writing and editing for titles and brands spanning Women's Health, the Telegraph, Boots, and Vitality. Amelia joined the SB Media family in September of 2023, bringing her expertise in SEO and reader takeaway. As Lead Editor, her superpower is translating technical jargon about the mechanical workings of a supercar into a shareable story.
