Introduction
Airplanes are among the most valuable and prestigious in the larger transport industry, with most aircraft being expensive. The planes have various uses, including transport, recreation, military, research, and agriculture. Despite their valuable nature, the planes are the youngest group in the transport industry, with their age being barely a century old.
The history of aircraft dates back to 1903, when the Wright brothers flew the first plane. Several types of planes have been developed over time, including jets, drones, rockets, and helicopters, among others, each with unique characteristics. The features of each aircraft classification enable them to perform various functions, making planes one of the most versatile in the larger transport industry. Like other products, airplanes have a life cycle of 20-30 years. The sequence includes production, usage, and finally radiation, where the parts are dismantled and channeled to other purposes.
Life Cycle
Production is the first phase in the life cycle of planes, where the engineers begin to make and assemble the projected aircraft. The production phase is critical as it determines the end product. Under this stage, proper research is conducted to produce new engineering designs. Since the phase requires a lot of creativity and innovation, the production process normally takes more time. Depending on the sophistication of the projected result, the production may take a decade or even more (Scholz et al., 2022).
Essential features of aircraft, such as fuel saving, safety, and noise reduction, are developed and implemented at the production stage. In addition, the engineers at this phase must ensure they use the most appropriate materials and involve a lot of high-tech. Since new technologies emerge daily, the production phase must proactively promote innovations and inventions.
Due to the numerous activities involved, various firms participate in the production phase, with each company performing a different role. For instance, engineering design, which is one of the most important, may be done by a firm other than the one that assembles the aircraft. Similarly, the firm taking part in the painting may differ from the other two.
This means that production involves many players and takes a lot of time. In the production phase, firms must ensure that the end products meet consumer and commercial needs, such as environmental protection and human safety (Kossarev et al., 2023). In addition, the economic aspect is critical, as most customers expect economical aircraft for fuel consumption.
In the same vein, technology is another key feature considering the innovative nature of humans. The later years of the 20th century witnessed a high motivation for aerospace research and knowledge; thus, planes were expected to meet the needs by facilitating the journey to space in search of knowledge. In the 21st century, the quest for aerospace knowledge has doubled as individuals become jittery to make discoveries in the space world (Kossarev et al., 2023). Prior to this, the production phase must ensure that the end products of planes possess the features that may enable them to meet the needs.
As earlier indicated, engineering design is the first activity in the production phase. Under the activity, the engineers are tasked with developing better designs in line with the needs of the consumers. The designers are responsible for projecting the size of the end-plane product. They understand the appropriate size for each aircraft type and what features to include. In addition, the designing phase is tasked with setting the shape of the plane (Fabre et al., 2022). Features such as safety, fuel consumption, speed, and environmental protection are handled in the engineering design stage.
Following engineering design, the next stage in the production phase is assembling. Under this, various materials are gathered to make a plane. Since most parts forming the aircraft are assembled separately, the engineers in this stage are tasked with gathering materials to form the parts, which will, in turn, make the end planes (Guraksin & Ozcan, 2023).
The materials are gathered according to the instructions given by the designer and following the features. For instance, the fuel consumption feature must be implemented in the assembly phase by gathering the right materials. Similarly, the environmental protection needs are met in the assembly stage by gathering the right environment-friendly materials, making the assembly phase in production another critical activity.
The last activity in the production is painting, where the end plane is given its final color. In the engineering phase, the painting is done according to the type and role of the planes. For example, military aircraft have unique paintings that match their needs and roles. Similarly, commercial aviation has a unique painting that indicates its function. The painting gives different planes their identity, making it an equally important activity.
Usage
Several types of planes have various functions. The crafts are designed distinctly to meet the requirements of their task. In addition, various planes have different sizes according to their intended purposes (Scholz et al., 2022). They come in large, medium, and small sizes, each having a different role (Kossarev et al., 2022). With needs arising daily, various types of planes are produced to meet them.
Commercial Purpose
Commercial planes are the most common use of planes and account for the largest percentage of aviation. Deemed as the fastest transport industry, many people use aircraft to travel to different destinations. Famous airline firms such as Boeing facilitate travel by transporting people to different areas internationally. At least every country has an airline responsible for facilitating its citizens’ traveling needs (Scholz et al., 2022).
Commercial planes come in various sizes and features, enabling short and distant travel. Statistics show that aviation supports a larger percentage of local and global travel, transporting nearly four billion people annually. Apart from facilitating human travel, planes transport goods and services. Cargo aircraft can transport goods of varying sizes and features to different destinations, thus enhancing trade.
Military
Planes have always been used to enhance military activities. Different countries have air forces in their military composition to handle their aerial security. The air force depends largely on using aircraft to boost its defense. Military planes come in different sizes and shapes to facilitate their purposes. Some examples of common military planes are rockets, drones, jets, and helicopters. Considering their military role, the aircraft have unique features such as speed and safety to enhance their activities.
For instance, military jets are known for their high speed, which gives them an upper hand in battles. In addition, military jets can drop bombs and other weapons, making them convenient for warfare. Drones, like military planes, are known for their artificial intelligence. They are self-driven and automated, enhancing their military suitability (Fabre et al., 2022). Unlike commercial plane pilots, drones are computer-controlled and thus can be sent to dangerous battle zones without exposing the owners to military danger.
Rockets, like other warfare planes, are known for their unmatched speed and the ability to fly high, making them more convenient for military fights. Unlike commercial planes, rockets can make quick turns in the air (Scholz et al., 2022). In the First and Second World Wars, airplanes played critical roles in defining the outcomes. The unpopular Nagasaki and Hiroshima bombings, which brought an end to the Second World War, were facilitated by the American war jets.
Research
Airplanes have played a critical role in space research, which has increased in the contemporary world. Since the first Russian journey to space by Yuri Gagarin, many space explorers have been making their way to the external world for more knowledge. Annually, the Department for Space Research and Exploration has been sending its experts to space and the moon, with space rockets at the center of it (Scholz et al., 2022). Recently, American space explorers visited the moon aboard the space rockets. With the motivation for more knowledge and research, airplanes will continue to be essential in achieving the feat.
Recreation
Airplanes are used in sports and recreational activities in the sky. Humans are increasingly using airplanes for fun and sky games. Some common recreational activities are airplane skydiving and heli-skydiving, which use aircraft. In addition, the aviation industry has introduced the hang-gliding tandem flight by Bumblebee, which is gaining popularity faster. Similarly, planes are used for tour journeys and to visit scenic sites.
For instance, the Interlaken scenic helicopter flight is becoming increasingly common among adventure enthusiasts. Furthermore, the global community has been hosting air racing sports where various pilots compete in flight races such as the famous Red Bull Air Race. Similarly, the FAI World Grand Prix has seen different planes competing in various air games, adding to the long list of recreational activities alongside the World Air Games.
Like other products, airplanes have a last phase of their lifespan, which marks the end of their lifecycle. The radiation phase marks the dismantling of the planes, which normally takes place after 20-30 years when the aircraft are considered obsolete. Even though most parts of the aircraft remain functional, most planes are designed to take 20-30 years of active usage, after which they are disengaged from their activities and their parts disintegrate.
Since airplanes are created by assembling different materials and parts, dismantling involves disassembling the sections (Scholz et al., 2022). Several firms are involved in the radiation of aircraft, recycling the usable parts and metals. On the other hand, parts that are considered environmentally unfriendly are properly treated to eliminate harm before disposal.
Once a company considers that some of its airplanes have reached the end of their useful lives and are no longer useful or up to the task, they are disengaged from active service. Later, they are channeled to radiation firms for dismantling. This is intended to prevent inefficiency, which may lead to costly accidents. Usually, planes become inefficient after reaching the end of their lifespan, 30 years (Scholz et al., 2022). After that, they become faulty and prone to failures, thus likely to cause accidents that may result in mass loss of lives, especially on commercial aircraft.
After Lifecycle
Used as Homes
Old airplanes remain important after completing their life cycle and disengaging from active service. Considering their makeup, some take the old planes and convert them into residential homes. With intact seats and beautiful looks, some are increasingly comfortable living in used aircraft (Chebeň & Rostáš, 2022).
The radiation companies are responsible for disassembling the used aircraft and have been giving out old planes to some individuals who have turned them into palatial residential homes. In America, for instance, a good number of people are using old planes as residential homes. The same is happening in some parts of Europe and Asia.
Some people borrow used aircraft parts to build their houses and use the entire old plane. The metallic bodies of the crafts have proven to be durable and flashy materials. Instead of using iron sheets, some individuals prefer to have the old parts of defunct planes in their houses. For instance, light metal in debris is one of the most commonly used materials in the construction of houses.
Hotels and Restaurants
Some business entrepreneurs have turned used aircraft into luxurious hotels, offering the best scenic views and needed warmth. Similarly, the retired planes have been converted into active restaurants. One of the most popular hotels carved from an old plane is the Jumbo Stay Hotel in Sweden. The restaurant was built from a retired aircraft and offers the best services and scenic views (Guraksin & Ozcan, 2023). Considering the height of the mountain, the hotel provides the best scenic view for customers visiting the place.
While inside, the clients can view the best scenes around and far from the hotel’s location. Jumbo Stay Hotel was a Boeing 747 passenger jet made in 1976, but retired from flight service after completing its lifespan of close to 30 years. The jet was a large commercial type, designed to transport travelers to international destinations. The now-known Jumbo Stay Hotel provides hotel services to people, with customers applauding its scenic and proper services. The hotel is equipped with rooms in good shape and services.
Another example of the old plane turned hotel is the Bali Villa, which is considered among the best in the world. The hotel is formed by an old Boeing 737 plane hanging on a cliff facing the famous Nyang Nyang beach, providing clients with the best scenic view of the Indiana ocean. The hotel is one of the best in the world and is equipped with everything a good hotel may need. The hotel comprises luxurious seats that satisfy the feeling of flight (Kossarev et al., 2023).
In addition, the hotel is divided into rooms that provide temporary accommodation to visitors. For instance, the gorgeous circular tub was coined from the former plane’s cockpit. Several other magnificent sections of the hotel were created from parts of the old Boeing plane. To spend a night in the hotel, a customer must spend close to $72,300, confirming its high value.
The 727 Fuselage Home is another restaurant curved from an old plane. The hotel, which is located in Costa Rica, is popular in the country and is boosting tourism in the area. Fuselage Home is part of Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica and provides accommodation to tourists. Due to its high elevation, the hotel provides the best scenic view of the ocean and the surrounding jungle (Fabre et al., 2022). Tourists visiting the place always give positive remarks about its iconic view and the furnished rooms.
To spend a night in a 727 Fuselage Home, one must depart with close to $645, confirming its high value. Concorde De Luxe Resort, Turkey, joins the group of old aircraft turned into hotels. The restaurant was built from an old Concorde jet plane and now takes the shape of a jet. Concorde De Luxe Resort has several amenities that satisfy the clients’ needs. All these hotels are examples of old planes that have been turned into useful business ventures, showing the value of used aircraft.
Humanitarian Assistance
Upon completing their lifespan, old planes are occasionally used to assist victims affected by disasters such as storms, earthquakes, floods, and other plagues destroying residences. Recently, Turkey and Syria experienced a devastating earthquake that left a large number of people homeless. In such cases, old planes can accommodate the victims and provide temporary residence (Wehrspohn et al., 2022). With their large capacities of hundreds, the used aircraft can accommodate many victims affected by disasters. The Boeing Company has been giving away some of its used planes for humanitarian assistance to areas affected by disasters, especially those that destroy homes and livelihoods, to be used alongside tents.
Recycling of the Metals
Most plane parts are made of valuable metals such as iron, aluminum, titanium, copper, and zinc. After completing their lifespans, the valuable metals are harvested from the old planes and melted together. Airplanes have over 800 parts that can be recycled, with the sections comprising valuable metals. In addition, the aircraft engine, which is the most valuable, is pure recyclable metal (Scholz et al., 2022).
These alloys, when harvested and melted together, have a great value. Once they hit the end of their lifespan, most planes are disassembled, and the metallic parts are harvested and melted together. Statistics show that 400-500 aircraft undergo disassembly and their metallic parts are melted together, which is estimated to raise $2 billion annually. This confirms the valuable nature of the old parts of a used plane.
Conclusion
In summary, planes, like other products, have a lifecycle starting from the production stage, where the engineering design and the parts are assembled and ready for use. After the production stage, the planes are used for various activities, depending on the type, such as military, commercial, recreational, and research. Upon completing their lifespan, which runs for 30 years, the aircraft are disengaged from service. Once discarded from active service, old planes take different routes. While some undergo disassembling, where the parts are disjointed and melted together, others are converted to homes and hotels and used for humanitarian assistance for victims of manmade and natural disasters.
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