In the mid-1990s, Jo Ann Ussery was facing what seemed like an impossible situation.
Her home in Benoit, Mississippi, had been destroyed by a devastating fire, leaving the former beautician with nothing but memories and the daunting task of rebuilding her life from scratch.
But here’s the deal – instead of following the traditional path of buying a mobile home or building a new house, Ussery chose something extraordinary.
She transformed a decommissioned Boeing 727 into a fully functional family home for less than $30,000.
The Spark of an Unconventional Idea
The inspiration came from an unexpected source: her brother-in-law Bob, who worked as an air traffic controller at the nearby airport.
When he mentioned that a Continental Airlines Boeing 727 was being brought in for salvage, he casually asked if she’d ever considered living in a plane fuselage.
That’s why this conversation changed everything. The aircraft in question was Continental Airlines’ first Boeing 727-224, which had faithfully served passengers from 1968 to 1993. Instead of heading to the scrapyard, this plane would get a second chance at life.
Ussery fell in love with the aircraft during her first tour. She paid exactly $2,000 for the plane – essentially its value as scrap metal – and another $4,000 to transport it to her lakeside property.
Six Months of Pure Determination
What happened next showcases the remarkable determination of one woman with a vision. Ussery spent six months renovating the aircraft, doing most of the work herself.
The total renovation cost came to just $24,000, bringing her entire investment to under $30,000.
The transformation was nothing short of spectacular:
- 1,582 square feet of living space spread across 138 feet of aircraft length
- Three comfortable bedrooms for her family
- Two full bathrooms, including one spectacular master bath
- A fully equipped kitchen and laundry room
- 76 side windows plus 10 cockpit windows for abundant natural light
You’re better off knowing that Ussery kept many original airplane features that added unique character to her home.
The original fold-down stairs became her front entrance, operated by a garage door opener. One of the original airplane restrooms remained fully functional, and the overhead storage compartments provided excellent built-in storage throughout the home.
The Crown Jewel: A Cockpit Hot Tub
The most breathtaking feature of Ussery’s airplane home was the master bathroom located in the cockpit. She installed a hot tub right under the windshield, with all the original flight controls still in place.
Since the nose of the aircraft hung suspended over the lake, soaking in this unique bathtub created the magical illusion of flying.
I made a classic mistake thinking this was just about saving money.
But Ussery’s creation was actually about something much deeper – proving that creativity and determination could overcome any obstacle.
The aircraft was anchored with a thick concrete foundation at the tail, allowing the nose to extend over the water.
This positioning wasn’t just for show – it created the striking visual of a plane in perpetual flight while providing stunning lake views from the cockpit windows.
Living the High Life
Ussery affectionately nicknamed her home “Little Trump” after Donald Trump’s lavish private jet.
From 1995 to 1999, she and her family lived comfortably in their unique dwelling, which lacked absolutely nothing found in a conventional home.
The airplane home proved remarkably practical. Because commercial aircraft are designed to be airtight, the converted home was extremely energy-efficient, staying warm in winter and cool in summer with minimal heating and cooling costs.
Here’s what made daily life special in the Boeing 727:
| Feature | Unique Advantage |
| Overhead Storage | Built-in cabinets that don’t shift or spill |
| Aircraft Windows | 86 windows total providing exceptional natural light |
| Insulation | Aerospace-grade materials for superior comfort |
| Structural Integrity | Built to withstand extreme conditions |
Inspiring a Movement
That’s why Ussery’s story became legendary in the alternative housing world. Her flawless execution of this ambitious project had an inspirational effect that continues today.
In the late 1990s, electrical engineer Bruce Campbell heard Ussery’s story on the radio while driving home.
“I was driving home and listening to the radio, and they had Jo Ann’s story, and it was amazing I didn’t drive off the road because my focus turned entirely to it,” Campbell later recalled.
Campbell went on to create his own Boeing 727 home in the woods of Hillsboro, Oregon, spending $220,000 on his project.
He credits Ussery with providing the proof of concept: “I still stand on Jo Ann’s shoulders and I’m grateful for the proof of concept.”
The Unexpected End
Unfortunately, Ussery’s airplane home met an untimely end in 1999. While being moved to a new location where it would be opened for public display, the aircraft fell off the transport truck and was irreparably damaged.
But here’s the catch – the legacy of “Little Trump” lived on. Ussery had proven that with creativity, determination, and less than $30,000, anyone could create an extraordinary home that defied conventional wisdom.
Lessons from 30,000 Feet
Want me to tell you what made Ussery’s project so remarkable? It wasn’t just the novelty of living in an airplane.
She demonstrated that thinking outside the box could solve housing problems in ways that traditional approaches couldn’t match.
Her project offered several key advantages:
- Cost efficiency – Total investment under $30,000 versus $200,000+ for conventional homes
- Energy efficiency – Aerospace insulation reduced utility costs significantly
- Unique living experience – One-of-a-kind home with conversation-starting features
- Environmental benefit – Recycling a massive aircraft instead of scrapping it
You’re better off understanding that Ussery’s success came from her willingness to embrace an unconventional solution to a common problem. While most people would have rebuilt a traditional home, she saw opportunity where others saw obstacles.
The Continuing Legacy
Today, airplane homes have become part of a growing movement of alternative housing solutions. From Bruce Campbell’s Oregon forest retreat to Joe Axline’s double-aircraft setup in Texas, Ussery’s pioneering spirit continues to inspire creative housing solutions.
Hotels around the world now offer airplane accommodations, from Costa Rica’s Costa Verde hotel featuring a refurbished Boeing 727 to Sweden’s Jumbo Stay built inside a Boeing 747 at Stockholm’s airport.
But none of these projects would exist without Jo Ann Ussery’s groundbreaking vision. She proved that when life throws you a curveball – even something as devastating as losing your home to fire – creative solutions can not only solve your problem but create something truly extraordinary.
That’s why her story remains relevant today. In an era of housing shortages and rising construction costs, Ussery’s approach offers hope that innovative thinking and determined execution can still create the American Dream – even if that dream happens to have wings.