Comments on: To save fuel, should planes fly unpainted? Here’s the surprising answer http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/weight-of-airplane-paint-does-it-make-a-difference/ The last honest travel site Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:16:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jonsharrington1 http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/weight-of-airplane-paint-does-it-make-a-difference/comment-page-1/#comment-39357 Jonsharrington1 Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:45:00 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=5287#comment-39357 While you summation is partially correct there are other concerns. They deal with corrosion of aluminum. The exterior surfaces of aircraft are composed of T6 Clad a type of aluminum design to impede corrosion. Aluminum for aircraft in comparison to other aluminum alloys is soft so repeated cleaning will dull the surface and create wind drag due to porosity which increase fuel consumption. As repetitive cleaning occurs more labor is involved due to the increase porosity of the aluminum due to heat abrasion. The commercial airlines paint their aircraft because they are easier to clean and offer the least wind resistance. While you summation is partially correct there are other concerns. They deal with corrosion of aluminum. The exterior surfaces of aircraft are composed of T6 Clad a type of aluminum design to impede corrosion. Aluminum for aircraft in comparison to other aluminum alloys is soft so repeated cleaning will dull the surface and create wind drag due to porosity which increase fuel consumption. As repetitive cleaning occurs more labor is involved due to the increase porosity of the aluminum due to heat abrasion. The commercial airlines paint their aircraft because they are easier to clean and offer the least wind resistance.

]]> By: Maccess http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/weight-of-airplane-paint-does-it-make-a-difference/comment-page-1/#comment-9691 Maccess Tue, 27 Jan 2009 07:24:38 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=5287#comment-9691 Buffing unpainted aircraft can be done in low labor cost States our outsourced to foreign airports that have excellent aircraft ground support facilities. Buffing unpainted aircraft can be done in low labor cost States our outsourced to foreign airports that have excellent aircraft ground support facilities.

]]> By: PlanetEye » Blog Archive » No-Frills Airlines Emerging http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/weight-of-airplane-paint-does-it-make-a-difference/comment-page-1/#comment-7477 PlanetEye » Blog Archive » No-Frills Airlines Emerging Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:58:00 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=5287#comment-7477 [...] there’s some people within the industry who suggest that more airlines - like American Airlines - should think about [...] [...] there’s some people within the industry who suggest that more airlines – like American Airlines – should think about [...]

]]> By: turtletrot1 http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/weight-of-airplane-paint-does-it-make-a-difference/comment-page-1/#comment-5901 turtletrot1 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:50:41 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=5287#comment-5901 I am a senior...and then some. Didn't we do this in the 70's during the first gas crisis? I am sure we did. Shiny planes. Not as much drag ! (Don't tell me I am losing it...I am really sure this has been done before. Must be in archives somewhere.) I am a senior…and then some. Didn’t we do this in the 70′s during the first gas crisis? I am sure we did. Shiny planes. Not as much drag !
(Don’t tell me I am losing it…I am really sure this has been done before. Must be in archives somewhere.)

]]> By: Prof Burgos http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/weight-of-airplane-paint-does-it-make-a-difference/comment-page-1/#comment-5874 Prof Burgos Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:12:14 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=5287#comment-5874 Charlie: As a fellow former army guy, you'll recall that during WWII the USAAF abandoned the camouflage painting of aircraft (bombers and fighters alike) around 1943-1944 in favor of natural metal, because you could eke out a few extra miles per hour and miles of flight from a natural metal finish -- no paint, less weight, smoother airflow, greater aircraft efficiency. But then they had enlisted men to do the polishing, who made the same money whether they peeled spuds or buffed a canopy! Charlie: As a fellow former army guy, you’ll recall that during WWII the USAAF abandoned the camouflage painting of aircraft (bombers and fighters alike) around 1943-1944 in favor of natural metal, because you could eke out a few extra miles per hour and miles of flight from a natural metal finish — no paint, less weight, smoother airflow, greater aircraft efficiency.

But then they had enlisted men to do the polishing, who made the same money whether they peeled spuds or buffed a canopy!

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