Salvage & Recycling

When an aircraft reaches the end of its service life, salvage and recycling companies take it apart. Engines, landing gear, avionics and other parts with remaining life are removed, inspected and returned to the market with their records, and the remaining airframe is broken down so aluminium and other materials can be recycled. Many of these sites also offer aircraft parking and storage. Airlines, lessors and owners use them to recover value from retired aircraft or damaged airframes.

When choosing a partner, check its approvals and certifications, how it documents traceability for parts it resells, its environmental handling of fluids and composites, and whether it can take your aircraft type.

The section is small, with 2 companies listed, one of them in France:

• TARMAC AEROSAVE, HSH, an aviation facility at the aerodrome in Azereix.
• CAVU Aerospace, an aerospace company based in Stuttgart, Arkansas.

Recovered parts usually end up with aircraft parts suppliers, and owners retiring an aircraft often compare scrap value with resale through aircraft sales brokers. For leased aircraft returning at end of term, see aircraft leasing companies.