In article 1113964852.5d08e5c3f6a40a45cff67c45c0346ce9@teran ews,
"william_b_noble" wrote:

there was a mod to the L-1011 airplane that involved putting depleted
uranium weights as counterbalances on a couple of control arms - I
wonder what happens to those weights when the planes are
decomissioned.

IIRC from A&P school, more than a few large aircraft use it as a control
surface counterweight material. The weights must be disposed of properly
when the aircraft is written off.

After accidents, finding the weights (and recorders) are a top priority.

Recall they're heavily cad plated... impression stamped with warnings,
and painted international orange for easy identification.

I Googled a little, found this FAA advisory circular.

http://www.faa.gov/fsdo/orl/files/advcir/AC20-123.TXT

Erik