Livery - this is one of the options for uniforms, characterized by features of cut, color solutions and accessories. Some elements corresponded to the heraldry of the house served by the carriers. But this word means not only clothes for people.
Aviation Dress Code
Aircraft liveries - this is the coloring of the fuselage of the aircraft in accordance with a certain color scheme. It is applied in order to show the belonging of the celestial ship of a particular airline. For vehicles that are fighting, they choose a coating that can mask and hide them visually from the enemy.
How to paint planes
Airplanes are huge vehicles, expensive and very complex. More than once in their aviation life, they change the host company. At the same time, one has to change the uniform of a sky bird, which is not very simple.
Painting is carried out in special hangars. As a rule, Russian planes receive new liveries at aircraft repair plants, only such enterprises in the country have everything they need. The procedure takes place in several stages, it can take from several days to weeks. Most often, maintenance and repairs are carried out at the same time.
Stages of changing livery
The plane rolls into the hangar. First of all, all openings and parts of the fuselage are closed, where liquids should not get. Next, the old coating is removed with a special composition. This is such an aggressive mass that in a few hours it will be corroded and begin to exfoliate. The final flush occurs with hot water under high pressure. Some places are cleaned mechanically.
The aircraft rolls into the paint rooms. In order to conduct the procedure efficiently, it is necessary to comply with certain indicators of temperature, humidity. The surface before painting is prepared by priming in several layers and polished. The first color, which will be the base, is applied in several layers. Between applications, drying and fixing time is required.
Each airline has its own corporate colors or brands. All this in the form of stencils and masks is to be applied to the fuselage of the aircraft. The coloring should strictly correspond to the color scheme of the livery provided by the owner of the vessel. Depending on the complexity of the drawing, the painting of individual parts is done several times, with mandatory intermediate drying.
The last stage is varnishing, which not only gives a glossy shine and creates an updated look, but also protects the aircraft body from atmospheric influences.
Varnishes and paints for aircraft
There are two types of paints made specifically for such work:
The use of each of them is due to the technical and flight characteristics of the aircraft, as well as the financial capabilities of the airline. Acrylic is traditionally used for work on turboprop bodies, and polyurethane for turbojets. The latter also contributes to fuel economy, due to its ability to reduce air resistance.
The advantage of acrylic is a slightly lower cost, since such paint is produced in Russia, but the polyurethane coating option is only imported. For some types of paintwork using polyurethane, it is necessary to use specialized equipment purchased also abroad.
The thickness of all layers of the coating can be less than 0.2 mm, and the weight always exceeds 100 kg. Livery is a rather heavy robe for aircraft.
Holiday Aircraft Liveries
Do not think that aircraft are subject to painting only when changing ownership. Various events in the country, the world and in the airline itself can also make you put on new liveries. This is a way to emphasize what is happening. As a rule, such color schemes are not applied in bulk. Exclusively painted one or more aircraft.
- In honor of the 1000th anniversary of Austria, Austrian Airlines painted one of its airbuses with portraits of compatriots who left a mark on their activities not only in the country, but also in the world.
- Japan Airlines has commissioned as many as six Boeing livery dedicated both to its 50th anniversary and the opening of Disney Park in the capital of Japan.
- The aircraft of the Russian Federation are not far behind. Aeroflot, in honor of its 90th anniversary, has dressed one of its aircraft in a festive livery. A special competition was organized for development, during which the Sukhoi SuperJet-100 turned into a gorgeous toy with Khokhloma painting.
- Air New Zeland, self-proclaiming itself the official carrier of Middle-earth, placed the heroes of the novels of J.R. R. Tolkien on its three cars. This is due to the fact that many of the movie scenes from his novels were filmed in New Zealand.
- Transaero livery, dedicated to a charity event to help sick children, made one of the planes of the Flight of Hope airline. Dozens of colorful palms were imprinted on the fuselage.
Virtual World of Aviation
Childhood is the perfect time to dream. Little astronauts, football players, motorists, ballerinas are born in every soul, but when they grow up, they either disappear without a trace, or remain small.
The dream of becoming a pilot allows you to realize the world of virtuality. Many aviation simulators are currently creating very real universes, giving a feeling of full presence. Flight simulators including. Aerosoft liveries add rich variety to aviation virtual reality. The company that produces add-ons has created many modifications to all types of aircraft.