F-111 Fighter jets, a disgusting waste!

[acropolite (Phil)]

Colin, to some extent that's true but the old adage is that the aircraft is only as old as it's last overhaul, wing spars in some cases are rated for a certain lifespan, when the aircraft has reached that time often it's prohibitively expensive to replace such components, but there is no reason an Aircraft can't fly indefinitely provided each component is replaced when it becomes time expired.

Lycoming Engines for example in your average Cessa are rated for TB0 of around 2000 hours depending on observed wear over that period.

There's no reason why most aircraft can't fly indefinitely, the limiting factors are cost and availability of replacement parts.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by Hans Tucker

" Sentimental? You bet!"


Can you really be sentimental about G Models, particularly when they were purchased late in the F-111's service with some actually never flying but sitting in storage waiting to be rotated through.

I don't care what model.

For frigs sake, I can't even say I'm a sentimental old fool. Do I really need to justify my own emotions?
I really don't know why I bother posting some comments sometimes

[FlashDrive (Poppy)]

Originally Posted by acropolite

Colin, to some extent that's true but the old adage is that the aircraft is only as old as it's last overhaul, wing spars in some cases are rated for a certain lifespan, when the aircraft has reached that time often it's prohibitively expensive to replace such components, but there is no reason an Aircraft can't fly indefinitely provided each component is replaced when it becomes time expired.

Lycoming Engines for example in your average Cessa are rated for TB0 of around 2000 hours depending on observed wear over that period.

There's no reason why most aircraft can't fly indefinitely, the limiting factors are cost and availability of replacement parts.

Sure ... I quite agree ... TBO ( Time Before Overhaul ) is often ' written ' in the maintenence procedures of any Engine/Airframe component ... by the Manufacturer of the said item .

Some are even subject to what is called ' on condition ' ... if it operates correctly .... then don't replace it.

Yes ... you could keep replacing Airframe / Engine parts and keep it flying ... and they do ... eg: just look around at any airshow and you'll see plenty of ' Historic ' planes gracing the skies.

And ... you are right ... it becomes very expensive to maintain ' Air Worthiness ' on an Aircraft as it ages.

Flash ..

[Barrykgerdes]

Submarines have a use by date

Barry

[Paul Haese]

I am not so sure the guys who had to go inside the fuel tanks on these things and seal them with a sealant that has caused many of them to contract cancer or some other affliction would be sorry to see them go.

Yes it was a long serviced plane, but It has caused some real problems to service personel and their families.