(CNN) — After losing his home in a fire, Jo Ann Ussery had a strange idea: live in an airplane.
She bought an old Boeing 727 that was destined for a scrapyard, shipped it to a property she already owned, and spent six months refurbishing it, doing most of the work herself. In the end, she got a fully functioning home with over 1,500 square feet of living space, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and even a hot tub that had a cockpit. All she does is under $30,000, or about $60,000 in today’s money.
A hairdresser from Benoit, Mississippi, Ussery had no professional ties to aviation and followed the eccentric suggestions of his brother-in-law, an air traffic controller. She lived in the plane from her 1995 to her 1999, but this plane fell off a truck and was irreparably damaged and had been moved to another location nearby.
She wasn’t the first to live on an airplane, but her flawless execution of the project was an inspiration. I was in awe of the [the radio,] They had Jo Ann’s story, and my focus was totally on it, so it was amazing that I didn’t go out of my way. he says.
727 in the forest
“I made many mistakes, including the egregious mistake of partnering with a salvage company. ,” he explains.
In total, his project cost $220,000 (roughly $380,000 in today’s money), about half of which was spent on buying the plane. He says the plane belongs to Greece’s Olympic Airlines and was also used in 1975 to transport the remains of airline tycoon Aristotle Onassis. It was the old 707 style interior. Compared to modern standards, it was really bad. It was functional but looked old and crude. It may be the worst choice for a home. ”
As a result, Campbell had to work on the plane for several years before he could live on it. The interior is rustic, with a primitive shower made of plastic cylinders and a futon sofa for the bed. Owns a small apartment hidden in However, the pandemic has made this difficult and for the past three years he has been living in his 727 his whole year.
He says he was about to purchase a second aircraft (a 747-400) in 2018, with the intention of also setting up an aircraft in Japan, but the airline (Campbell does not disclose) has sold the aircraft more than expected. decided to continue operating for a long time. “I had to put the project on hold, and to this day it’s still there.”
double torso
Joe Axline’s two planes: one residential and one retrofit.
Joe Axline
If you think life on an airplane is a luxury, what about life on an airplane? This is the plan if Joe Axline, who owns the MD-80 and his DC-9, sit next to each other on land in Brookshire, Texas. Axline, who has lived in MD-80 for more than a decade after their divorce on April Fool’s Day 2011, decided to renovate DC-8 and equip it with recreational his areas such as a movie theater and music room. I am planning. He calls his grand plan “Project Freedom.”
“I have less than $250,000 for the entire project. All that’s left is electricity,” he adds.
For years he shared a plane with his children. , not bad size for a bedroom, he has two tv’s so there’s plenty of room to walk around, my living room is big enough, it’s got a shower and a toilet too, so I go to the bathroom You don’t have to leave the plane to A home is a window that opens,” he explains, adding that all you have to do is open the plane door and let in some fresh air.
The plane will be visible from a nearby road, and Axline said many curious drivers will stop by. Tree Star’ he says. Most of the time I shake them all over. If time permits, I will take you on a tour. And if I didn’t make my bed that day, who cares? See how real people live. ”
Jumbo Stay is a hotel at Arlanda Airport in Stockholm.
Courtesy Jumbo Stay
airplane DIY
But if you want to leave the temporary housing behind and live fully inside the plane, you have to be ready for a challenge. You have to deal with what can be overwhelming,” says Joe Axline, who cites one of his biggest hurdles as procuring the right airframe and finding the right location.
Perhaps that’s why over the years some of Bruce Campbell’s visitors have expressed interest in adopting this lifestyle, but none have turned the dream into a reality. . We sent them clear instructions to help them step by step, but nothing built momentum,” he says.
But don’t let that discourage you, adds Campbell.
