Located in the California desert, the Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA), also known as the Victorville airplane graveyard, is one of the largest airplane storage facilities in the world. Victorville has gained recognition for its significant role in storing and recycling decommissioned commercial aircraft, especially during periods of reduced demand, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
This article explores the Victorville airplane graveyard, its history, operations, and importance to the aviation industry. We will delve into why its desert location is ideal for aircraft storage, how the facility contributes to the aviation supply chain, and its growing role in aircraft recycling.
The History of the Victorville Airplane Graveyard
The Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA) in Victorville was initially known as George Air Force Base. Founded in 1941, the base served as a military facility until it was closed in 1992. After the base’s closure, the site was repurposed into a civilian airport and storage facility, with a strong focus on aircraft storage and maintenance.
From Military Base to Commercial Aircraft Storage Hub
When the U.S. government closed George Air Force Base, the need for large aircraft storage facilities grew. The airport’s location in the Mojave Desert made it an ideal spot for this new purpose. Its long runways and open space allowed the site to become a major hub for decommissioned planes.
The transformation into the Victorville airplane graveyard began soon after. Airlines, needing a place to store planes during fleet reductions or downturns in travel demand, saw Victorville as the perfect solution. The dry climate made it a prime choice for long-term storage, ensuring that the planes would be preserved without the risk of rust or deterioration.
Victorville’s Ideal Desert Climate for Aircraft Storage
Like other airplane graveyards, the Victorville airplane graveyard benefits greatly from its location in a dry desert climate. The Mojave Desert provides a unique environment that helps preserve aircraft, allowing them to remain in good condition for long periods.
Climate Advantages
The low humidity in the California desert prevents the kind of corrosion that can occur when planes are stored in more humid regions. Corrosion, which can affect both the exterior and interior components of the aircraft, is a major issue for long-term storage. However, the dry air in Victorville minimizes these risks.
Additionally, the desert’s hot temperatures keep the aircraft free from issues like mold and mildew, which can damage the planes’ interiors and electronic systems. The natural protection offered by the desert climate makes Victorville one of the most effective places in the world for aircraft storage.
Preservation Techniques
When an aircraft is stored at the Victorville airplane graveyard, it goes through a preservation process to ensure it remains in working order. This involves cleaning the plane, draining the fuel, and covering sensitive parts like engines and landing gear with protective seals. This process, known as mothballing, helps preserve the aircraft for potential future use or parts reclamation.
Planes that are stored for long periods at Victorville are also positioned in neat rows, allowing for easy access to each aircraft when maintenance or inspections are required. The runways and vast parking areas provide ample space to accommodate large numbers of planes, from small regional jets to massive Boeing 747s.
The Role of Victorville in the Aviation Industry
The Victorville airplane graveyard plays several crucial roles in the aviation industry. While it is primarily known as a storage facility, it also serves as a hub for aircraft maintenance, recycling, and parts reclamation. This makes Victorville a key player in keeping the aviation industry running smoothly, even during periods of reduced travel demand.
Storing Decommissioned Aircraft
One of Victorville’s primary functions is to store aircraft that have been retired or decommissioned. These planes can come from major airlines or smaller regional carriers, and they are stored at Victorville until a decision is made about their future. Some planes are eventually returned to service, while others are dismantled and recycled.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when global travel demand plummeted, the Victorville graveyard became a critical site for storing aircraft that were grounded by airlines. With many planes sitting idle for months, Victorville’s capacity was stretched as airlines scrambled to find long-term parking for their fleets.
Maintenance and Upkeep
The Southern California Logistics Airport is not just a parking lot for planes—it also provides essential maintenance services. Technicians at Victorville work to ensure that the planes stored here remain in good condition. Some aircraft require regular inspections and repairs, while others may undergo painting or upgrades before being reintroduced into service.
Many planes stored at Victorville are held in reserve by airlines looking to reintroduce them into service once demand picks up. For example, older aircraft models like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 are often stored here and kept in a state of readiness. When airlines need to expand their fleets, they can retrieve these planes, perform necessary maintenance, and quickly bring them back into service.
Aircraft Recycling at Victorville
In recent years, aircraft recycling has become an essential aspect of Victorville’s operations. As the aviation industry pushes for more sustainable practices, the need for responsible recycling of retired planes has grown. The Victorville airplane graveyard plays a key role in dismantling decommissioned aircraft and reclaiming valuable materials for reuse.
The Aircraft Recycling Process
When an aircraft is no longer viable for service, it is sent for recycling. The process begins with the removal of hazardous materials such as fuel, oil, and hydraulic fluids. Technicians then strip the plane of valuable components like engines, avionics, and landing gear, which can be reused in other aircraft.
The remaining structure of the aircraft, primarily made of aluminum, is then dismantled and sold as scrap metal. This helps reduce waste and lowers the demand for new materials in aircraft manufacturing. Recycling also minimizes the environmental impact of retired planes, ensuring that they do not become a burden on the planet.
Sustainability in Aviation
The aviation industry is under increasing pressure to adopt more sustainable practices, and aircraft recycling is one way that companies can reduce their environmental footprint. By recycling old planes, manufacturers can reduce their reliance on newly mined materials and contribute to a more circular economy.
At Victorville, the recycling process is carried out with a focus on sustainability. The goal is to reclaim as much material as possible while minimizing the waste that goes to landfills. The result is a more sustainable aviation industry that reduces the environmental impact of decommissioned planes.
Victorville’s Role During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on the aviation industry, leading to an unprecedented number of grounded planes. During this time, the Victorville airplane graveyard became an essential facility for storing the fleets of airlines around the world. With air travel demand dropping dramatically, airlines had to find space to store thousands of planes that were no longer needed.
Storage Surge During the Pandemic
In the early months of the pandemic, Victorville experienced a surge in demand for aircraft storage. Airlines from all over the world, including major carriers like Qantas, British Airways, and Lufthansa, sent their planes to Victorville for long-term storage. Planes that had once flown regularly between continents were now parked in rows, waiting for the eventual recovery of the aviation industry.
The Boeing 747, once a staple of long-haul international travel, was one of the most commonly stored aircraft during this time. As airlines began retiring their jumbo jets in favor of more fuel-efficient models like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350, Victorville became home to many of these iconic planes.
A Glimpse into Aviation’s Future
As the aviation industry begins to recover, many of the planes stored at Victorville will either be returned to service or dismantled for parts. Airlines will have to make decisions about which planes to keep, which to recycle, and which to sell to other carriers. The Victorville airplane graveyard will continue to play a vital role in this process, ensuring that the aviation industry can adapt to the changing demands of a post-pandemic world.
Comparison with Other Major Airplane Graveyards
The Victorville airplane graveyard is just one of several major facilities in the world. Other airplane graveyards, like AMARG in Tucson and the Mojave Air and Space Port, also play important roles in storing and recycling decommissioned aircraft. While each facility has its own unique characteristics, they all serve the same purpose: providing a resting place for retired planes and supporting the aviation industry with valuable parts and resources.
Touring the Victorville Airplane Graveyard
Unlike some other airplane graveyards, the Southern California Logistics Airport does not offer public tours. However, it is possible to see some of the stored planes from nearby public areas. The vast parking areas filled with planes create a stunning visual of decommissioned aircraft stretching across the desert.
For aviation enthusiasts, the sight of Boeing 747s, Airbus A320s, and military transport planes lined up in the California desert is a powerful reminder of the scale of the global aviation industry.
Conclusion: Victorville’s Role in Aviation’s Future
The Victorville airplane graveyard is more than just a storage facility for decommissioned planes. It plays a vital role in keeping the aviation industry running smoothly, providing a place to store and recycle retired aircraft while offering essential maintenance services.
As the aviation industry continues to evolve, aircraft recycling and sustainability will become even more important. The Victorville airplane graveyard will remain a key player in this process, ensuring that decommissioned planes are repurposed in the most sustainable way possible.