Imagine living inside an airplane—not to fly, but to call it your home! That’s exactly what Jo Ann Ussery did in the 1990s, turning a big old plane into a cozy house for her family. Her story is about creativity, hard work, and making something extraordinary out of a tough situation. It also helped start a trend where people use unusual things like buses or shipping containers to build affordable homes.
A New Start After Hard Times
In 1993, Jo Ann Ussery faced a big challenge. After her husband passed away, she and her two kids needed a new place to live, but money was tight. At first, she thought about buying a trailer, but it was too expensive for a home big enough for her family. Then, her brother-in-law, Bob, who worked with airplanes, had a wild idea: why not live in a plane? Jo Ann loved the idea and went to check out a Boeing 727, a huge passenger plane that wasn’t being used anymore. It cost just $2,000, including delivery to her land. She named it “Little Trump” because a famous businessman, Donald Trump, had a similar plane.
Turning a Plane into a House
Turning an airplane into a home was a big job, but Jo Ann was ready. She spent less than $30,000 (which is about $60,000 today) to make it happen. First, she parked the plane on her property near a beautiful lake and fixed it in place with concrete so it wouldn’t move. The plane was huge—138 feet long with 76 windows, letting in lots of sunlight. Inside, it had 1,500 square feet of space, perfect for a family home.
Jo Ann got to work. She took out the old airplane seats and added new floors. She made the windows stronger and added insulation to keep the house warm in winter and cool in summer. She even kept the plane’s bathroom and used the overhead bins for storage, just like you’d store bags on a flight.
After fixing the structure, Jo Ann made the plane feel like a real home. She added three bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen with an oven, and even a laundry area. Everything her family needed was there. The coolest part? She turned the cockpit—where pilots used to fly the plane—into a fancy bathroom with a big bathtub. From the tub, you could look out at the lake and feel like you were floating on water.
Jo Ann did most of the work herself, which made the project even more special. From 1995 to 1999, she and her kids lived happily in their one-of-a-kind airplane home.
A Big Idea That Inspired Others
Jo Ann’s airplane house wasn’t just a place to live—it was a big idea that showed people you don’t need a regular house to have a happy home. Her story helped make it popular to use unusual things, like old planes, buses, or metal shipping containers, to build affordable houses. These homes are cheaper than traditional ones but can still be comfy and beautiful.
Jo Ann’s adventure reminds us that with a little imagination and a lot of effort, you can turn a tough situation into something amazing. Her airplane home wasn’t just a house—it was a symbol of hope, creativity, and starting over.
