Aircraft
End of the Line: Bizjets to Beer Cans
What happens when aircraft reach the end of their useful lives.
The carcasses of old business jets rest at Kansas-based Dodson International Aircraft Parts. Stripped of virtually anything of possible value, the fuselages are now scarcely worth the cost to dismantle them. (Photo: Barry Ambrose)
The carcasses of old business jets rest at Kansas-based Dodson International Aircraft Parts. Stripped of virtually anything of possible value, the fuselages are now scarcely worth the cost to dismantle them. (Photo: Barry Ambrose)

With the FAA mandate for ADS-B equipage looming at the beginning of 2020, there is debate within the industry as to whether this added expense will precipitate a major retirement of elderly business aircraft, those whose diminished value and use would scarcely justify the cost of the upgrade. Some believe the cost of equipage could drop so much by the deadline that many of those owners will indeed make the move to upgrade their aircraft, which are still perfectly capable of flight despite their age.

Indeed, the longevity displayed by most business aircraft is surprising many in the industry. “They’re living longer that we ever expected them to,” industry analyst Rolland Vincent told AIN. “We updated our so-called survivor curve for the industry, meaning how long does an aircraft stay in operation. The curve goes to zero just beyond 50 years, and that’s unheard of.”