Why did wood fall out of favor in aircraft construction?

The primary reason wood fell out of favor in aircraft construction is due to high labor and maintenance costs. In comparison to modern materials like metals and composites, wood requires significant labor to work with and maintain, especially considering the need for protective coatings against weathering, rot, and insects. Additionally, wooden aircraft structures can require more frequent inspections and repairs, leading to increased ongoing costs.

As technology progressed, aircraft manufacturers began to favor materials that offered not only durability and safety but also lower maintenance requirements and easier manufacturing processes. In contrast to wood, metals and composites provided advantages such as reduced weight, improved strength, and overall efficiency in production, which contributed to their ascendancy in the aviation industry.

While factors such as limited availability of quality timber and increased competition from metals played a role, it was the combination of labor intensiveness and higher costs associated with maintaining wooden structures that significantly influenced the industry’s shift away from wood.