Boeing 747 200 series question.

[*MAD DOG*]

Can anyone tell me why the Boeing 747 200 series used depleted uranium as ballast in the rudder and elevators on this aircraft? And does Boeing still use depleted uranium in any of its aircraft today? Surely lead would be safer as ballast, would it not?

[JumpmanYaris]

I try thinking about and even looked it up my best recommendation is to email Boeing this question. If I find something ill post it.

[bronsin]

http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/tech_ops/read.main/154252/

[cali yaris]

They definitely use it. As to why, I'm not sure. It's more dense ("heavier") than lead, and probably really easy to get. Crap excuse to use it, frankly.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/593649.stm

http://www10.antenna.nl/wise/index.html?http://www10.antenna.nl/wise/463-464/4609.html

[bronsin]

I dont think its terribly radioactive.

Lots things are bad you never heard of.

They use it to balance the aircraft weight distribution wise. Having flown out of trim/balance aircraft trust me, you dont give a rats ass whats balancing it when its out of balance!