Dave W. Hall got hooked by the allure of flying machines after a family friend took him up in a little Cessna 172 for his first flight when he was about 8. \u201cI had a lot of model toy airplanes,\u201d said Mr. Hall, who grew up in the 1970s on a small farm in Ohio. \u201cWhat little boy doesn\u2019t hold out his arms and pretend he\u2019s flying?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today he is co-founder and owner of MotoArt Studios, a Torrance, Calif., business that sands, polishes, paints and redesigns retired airplane parts that began with an old propeller destined for the junkyard that was turned into a free-standing sculpture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t get rid of this,\u201d Mr. Hall recalled his then-partner saying at the time. \u201cA light bulb went off,\u201d Mr. Hall said. \u201cWe can preserve aviation history.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The average life span of a commercial jet is about 25 years, and something like 12,000 of them and other aircraft are expected to reach the end of life in the next two decades. That\u2019s an average of about 600 airplanes each year, according to the Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association. What happens to all those planes when they are no longer economically viable and ready to come out of service?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At MotoArt, fuselages become conference tables. Cowlings, the metal coverings of an engine, are made into beds. Wings are turned into dramatic, one-of-a-kind corporate executive desks. Windows are transformed into mirrors. \u201cWe\u2019ve been creating beautiful pieces of functional aviation art from recycled aircraft for over 18 years now,\u201d Mr. Hall said. \u201cEach piece tells a story.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Typically, when a plane reaches the end of its life, the airline or owner may keep some parts for reuse internally in its fleet or sell the plane. Some aircraft may be converted into cargo planes. Remaining inventory is often sold to aviation parts traders or consignment vendors who remove, sell, recycle, and dispose of parts, industry experts say. Components (everything from cockpit instrumentation and the outer shell of the plane known as skin, to seats and food service equipment) in good condition can be used to equip other planes or are recycled or upcycled into things like beverages cans, clothing, and home and office furnishings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Analysis<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of my classmates encourage out group to investigate airplane wings made into tables, which I am glad I did! After doing a little more research, I found that there are companies that take parts of planes that are out of commission and turn them into beautiful household items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I don\u2019t know of any companies that are taking parts of the first airplanes and turning them into furniture, but the idea can be investigated further. We don\u2019t necessarily need to make a desk or chair from the original fabrics, but maybe similar ones as a nod to the art and history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n