Unconventional Homes Take Flight
Tiny houses, bus conversions, and shipping container homes have all captured the imagination of people looking for something different. But one woman decided to go bigger—literally—and took this trend to new heights. Instead of four wheels or a shipping dock, she built her dream home inside a decommissioned airplane.
When Tragedy Sparks Ingenuity
In 1993, Jo Ann Ussery’s world collapsed—her family home was destroyed in a storm. With little money and two children depending on her, she faced the unthinkable: rebuilding from nothing. That’s when her brother-in-law, an air traffic controller, offered a wild idea. “Why not live in a plane?” At first, it sounded like a joke. But the more she thought about it, the more sense it made.
The $2,000 Boeing 727 That Became a Mansion
Ussery soon found a retired Boeing 727 and bought it for just $2,000—plus the cost of moving it to her property. Locals nicknamed it “Little Trump” after Donald Trump’s own jet, but Jo Ann had something different in mind. With less than $30,000 invested in renovations, she transformed the aircraft into one of the most jaw-dropping homes in America.
Turning Metal Into Magic
At 138 feet long and with almost 1,500 square feet of interior space, the aircraft offered room most tiny-home owners could only dream of. Jo Ann parked it nose-first over a lake, giving her cockpit windows a breathtaking view of the water. She designed three bedrooms, a full kitchen, laundry facilities, and—most impressively—a master bath in the cockpit, complete with a soaking tub overlooking the lake. Outside, it still looked like a jetliner. Inside, it was cozy, stylish, and entirely unique.
A Vision That Inspired Millions
For years, Jo Ann lived happily in her “plane house,” and later planned to open it as a museum to share with the world. Sadly, during transport to its new site, the plane was damaged beyond repair. Yet her daring vision continues to inspire dreamers everywhere: proof that with creativity, even a grounded jet can soar again—as a home.
Your Turn
Could you see yourself living inside a retired aircraft? Or would it feel too unusual? Share your thoughts below—we’d love to know!
