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Scrapping of test aircraft
Why are test aircraft scrapped instead of sold?
Re: Scrapping of test aircraft
Early prototypes often deviate from production standard aircraft. On some, errors are found that require subsequent aircraft to be modified to an extent where it would be too expensive and/or to modify the prototype (see the 787). Fixing the early 787s would also have added too much weight. Then you have modifications stemming from all the test equipment that is added. It costs a lot of money to bring it back to production standard.
Not all test aircraft are scrapped. Some are preserved, some kept as test aircraft, quite a few are actually modified and delivered to airlines.
Not all test aircraft are scrapped. Some are preserved, some kept as test aircraft, quite a few are actually modified and delivered to airlines.
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- 747classic
- Posts: 5018
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Re: Scrapping of test aircraft
Regarding the latest Boeing series :
- 737 series, all test aircraft have been sold, incl the first 737-130, sold after 6 years to NASA as a flying laboratory.
- 747 series , only the first 747-100 (RA001) has been used as a test aircraft during it's entire career (1969-2003) and has been preserved later, all other 747 aircraft in all test programs have been refurbished to production standard and sold.
- 757 series, the first 757-200 test aircraft is still active as a highly modified F-22 flying labatory, All other test aircraft have been refurbished and sold.
- 767 series, only the first has been used as a testbed from 1981-2003 and has been scrapped. All other 767 test aircraft were refurbished and sold.
- 777 series, the first aircraft was used as a demonstator from 1994-2000, then refurbished and sold to Cathay. All other test aircraft were refurbished and sold.
- 787 series, a real disaster. test aircraft #1,#2 and #3 are preserved in several museums, Aircraft #4 still active as a testbed, Test aircraft #5 is scrapped.
- 737 series, all test aircraft have been sold, incl the first 737-130, sold after 6 years to NASA as a flying laboratory.
- 747 series , only the first 747-100 (RA001) has been used as a test aircraft during it's entire career (1969-2003) and has been preserved later, all other 747 aircraft in all test programs have been refurbished to production standard and sold.
- 757 series, the first 757-200 test aircraft is still active as a highly modified F-22 flying labatory, All other test aircraft have been refurbished and sold.
- 767 series, only the first has been used as a testbed from 1981-2003 and has been scrapped. All other 767 test aircraft were refurbished and sold.
- 777 series, the first aircraft was used as a demonstator from 1994-2000, then refurbished and sold to Cathay. All other test aircraft were refurbished and sold.
- 787 series, a real disaster. test aircraft #1,#2 and #3 are preserved in several museums, Aircraft #4 still active as a testbed, Test aircraft #5 is scrapped.
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- citationjet
- Posts: 2609
- Joined:
Re: Scrapping of test aircraft
At Cessna, the prototype Citation aircraft had excape hatches in the lower fuselage with explosive bolts for emergency egress by test pilots.
This makes them non-conformal to type design and cannot be sold.
This makes them non-conformal to type design and cannot be sold.
Re: Scrapping of test aircraft
747classic wrote:- 787 series, a real disaster. test aircraft #1,#2 and #3 are preserved in several museums, Aircraft #4 still active as a testbed, Test aircraft #5 is scrapped.
I guess that explains my question.
Thanks.
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