Aircraft Painting

by Charles Chandler
Created: June 7, 2011

What do you do when you get a lemon or an abandoned Navy air field? Build a big new paint hangar, teach people to paint, and sell lemonade.

At the grand opening of the Aircraft Services Educational Facility at Cecil Field.
At the grand opening of the Aircraft Services Educational Facility at Cecil Field.
The Aircraft Services Educational Facility was created with a $10 million grant that Florida State College at Jacksonville obtained along with matching funds from the Jacksonville Aviation Authority.
The Aircraft Services Educational Facility was created with a $10 million grant that Florida State College at Jacksonville obtained along with matching funds from the Jacksonville Aviation Authority.
The Aircraft Coating and Aicraft Services Education Facility at Cecil Field.
The Aircraft Coating and Aicraft Services Education Facility at Cecil Field.
Florida State College at Jacksonville

The Aircraft Coating Techncian program at Florida State College at Jacksonville is a 16-week, 600-hour program with a 40-hour internship.
The Aircraft Coating Techncian program at Florida State College at Jacksonville is a 16-week, 600-hour program with a 40-hour internship.
Students at Florida State College at Jacksonville are able to practice on aircraft subassemblies and 30-foot fuselage sections from Flightstar Aircraft Services. Photo courtesy of Florida State...
Students at Florida State College at Jacksonville are able to practice on aircraft subassemblies and 30-foot fuselage sections from Flightstar Aircraft Services. Photo courtesy of Florida State College at Jacksonville.

There are many reasons to paint airplanes. Some include protecting them from the elements and corrosion, while others identify them as belonging to a company or organization and to personalize them. I would suggest that it may be something more, something in our human nature that drives us to paint ourselves, our homes, autos, ships, and especially our airplanes. It appears that we love to enhance the features, lines, and form of those objects we favor. Nothing enhances the style and shape of an airplane like a beautiful professional paint job.

The industry rule is that aircraft exterior painting must not only look great but must stand the test of time. Those that own, operate or paint aircraft know this is not an easy or cheap process. Painting aircraft is a labor- intensive, multi-step process that requires a steady hand and intense attention to detail. Generally, the paint process includes these steps regardless of aircraft size: