JN and Stephanie have ingeniously transformed decommissioned airplanes into an exceptional living space in Alaska. They were able to combine a flight school with an extraordinary overnight stay opportunity.
Their airplane house is unlike any other. It boasts a wing deck, an original cockpit with a flight simulator, and a working cargo door for oversized luggage.
Originally planning runways, hangars, and cabins for students, the couple pivoted during construction. They decided to repurpose a dried-in building like an aircraft to cut costs.
This decision birthed a remarkable experience for both students and guests.
The airplane house comprises a Boeing 727 and a DC9 purchased as scrap metal for less than $100,000 each. However, the transport expenses, over $100,000 each, were a significant part of the investment.
While exact figures weren’t disclosed, JN and Stephanie estimate costs exceeding half a million dollars per aircraft.
To anchor the house, they drove 7-inch piles 20 feet into the ground. They welded and bolted the airplane to these pipes to withstand earthquakes and strong winds.
Covering around 700 square feet, the interior houses a mudroom, mechanical room, and living area. It’s made to preserve the original cargo door, a flight-sim equipped cockpit, and plans to integrate the flight controls with Microsoft’s simulator.
The idea to convert aircraft into cozy homes came to fruition when JN and Stephanie aimed to establish a flight school in Alaska.
Their inventive solution involved reusing decommissioned airplanes like the Boeing 727 and DC9 freighter. They bought their hulls at under $100,000 but with transportation costs soaring above.
Sharing the beauty of their airplane house with everyone.
JN and Stephanie’s innovative use of old airplanes delivers a distinctive and comfortable living space for their guests, providing an unparalleled stay in Alaska.
The unconventional structural support system for JN and Stephanie’s airplane house involved driving seven-inch piles 20 feet underground. This made the aircraft affixed to these pipes via welding and bolting.
Four additional seven-inch piles support the weight at the center, with two smaller 4.5-inch piles reinforcing the wing supports.
This anchoring technique ensures stability, regardless of potential suspension or tire issues, guaranteeing the house remains level and stationary.
Comfort and safety in one.
Their innovative structural support system provides a secure and immovable foundation for the airplane house, promising a stable and comfortable stay.
The airplane house, a brainchild of JN and Stephanie, offers a unique and unforgettable living experience.
Boasting original flight controls connected to Microsoft Flight Simulator, the house also includes amenities like a cockpit coffee station and a beer fridge.
Experience over ROI.
While the hulls of airplanes cost under $100,000, transportation expenses and other necessities can push the overall expenditure per aircraft to over $600,000.
Yet, these expenses culminate in a distinctive and unparalleled living experience.
This space features an original cargo door, a mudroom doubling as dry goods storage, and a mechanical room within the tail cone housing essential utilities like a boiler, water heater, and electrical panel box.
A worry-free stay for everyone.
In crafting this space, while the hull of an airplane costs less than $100,000, expenses for transportation, furnishings, and amenities can escalate the total to a range of $600,000 to $800,000 per aircraft.
However, the result is a living area that promises an exceptional and extraordinary stay.
Take a look inside the airplane house by watching the video below!
