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| Why are aeroplanes usually white ? |
We can differentiate between aeroplanes belonging to different airlines with the help of their distinct logos and decorations. But the base colour of the planes is almost always white. You might have observed, whenever you have encountered aeroplanes, they are usually white, but what's the reason they are so ?
Painting the aeroplane white is most practical and economical. White is a standard colour that is easily available. More the layers of paint, the more expensive it gets. It also adds to the overall weight of the plane and subsequently adds to the fuel bill. Another point in its favour is that white does not fade as quickly due to the exposure to the elements as do darker colours. But aren't the only reasons that aeroplanes have white colour.
When in the sky, white reflects most of the sunlight, thereby keeping the body of the aeroplane cool. White increases the visiblity of the plane, whether it is in the sky or on land, night or day. In this event of a plane crash, the wreckage is better visible in water. On the ground, effects of corrosion, cracks, leaking oil, etc. reveal themselves more easiliy on white. So, basically white colouring of an aeroplane is way more valuable than any other fancy colours.
Neverthless, some airlines do boast colourful planes -- in 2014, Air New Zealand painted its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fully black with a white fern on its tail to celebrate the success of its naional rugby team, the All-Blacks. But still usually the aeroplanes are white in colour.
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