# I \*think\* this is serious. It's definitely weird. It's kinda neat **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 16, 2002, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-this-is-serious-its-definitely-weird-its-kinda-neat/143184 "2002-12-16T22:35:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-this-is-serious-its-definitely-weird-its-kinda-neat/143184/1 "2002-12-16T22:35:21Z")
Would you want to live in an [old airplane?](http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1789717707&category=12605) I wonder if i can get the neighborhood association to aprove one of these. Thing that get me is that they can be set to swing in the wind like a weather vane. What if you come home and the plane’s door has rotated, and when you walk over to it, the wind shifts, etc…You’d be running in circles just trying to get in! ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-this-is-serious-its-definitely-weird-its-kinda-neat/143184/2 "2002-12-16T22:49:34Z")
> [@](#): > > **We can put also your home over water! > In water depths up to about 40’, vertical caisson structures are used. In depth 40’ to 140’, we use “commercial, off the shelf”, braced caisson structures** Oh yeah, an aluminum structure installed over the water. It’s not like corrosion is an issue, right? \ And where are all the overhead bins? Where are you supposed to keep your stuff?? No, I think not… ---
**Author:** ![photopat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-this-is-serious-its-definitely-weird-its-kinda-neat/143184/3 "2002-12-16T23:09:24Z")
But, you’d _have_ to hire a guy to guide you into your garage with those red flashlights. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-this-is-serious-its-definitely-weird-its-kinda-neat/143184/4 "2002-12-16T23:16:08Z")
“Max Power”! Mmmmmmmm… _airplane._ I would find it more credible if they didn’t use such a [crap photoshop illustration.](http://www.airplanehomes.com/twa.jpg) What, they haven’t actually sold/installed one that they can just _photograph_ yet? ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-this-is-serious-its-definitely-weird-its-kinda-neat/143184/5 "2002-12-16T23:28:55Z")
Great idea, but I’m with **Larry** on this one. Something ain’t right. ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-this-is-serious-its-definitely-weird-its-kinda-neat/143184/6 "2002-12-16T23:36:18Z")
The heght of vaporware. It’s one thing they don’t have photos of a customer installation but they don’t even have a prototype of the pylon and bearing with a plane on it. I personally think their “buy it now” price is too low to accomplish the task. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-this-is-serious-its-definitely-weird-its-kinda-neat/143184/7 "2002-12-17T01:23:12Z")
Also, I’m no structural engineer, but it seems counter-intuitive to have it supported in the center like that. How long would it be before the thing gave in to the stress and just folded up? Ha! Oddly enough, when I started to google around to see how much a 727 actually weighs, one of the first results returned was [some guy who really _has_ refitted a 727 as a domicile](http://www.nwcsi.com/AirplaneHome/). (Well, a work-in-progress, anyway-- I don’t know how comfortable I’d be with that “foundation.”) Cool. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-this-is-serious-its-definitely-weird-its-kinda-neat/143184/8 "2002-12-17T01:32:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Larry Mudd \* > \*\*Also, I’m no structural engineer, but it seems counter-intuitive to have it supported in the center like that. \*\* Well, no - because think about what holds it in the air - the wings. And where are the wings attached? Right where they’re putting the support. No, it’s logical from that standpoint. But I wouldn’t live in one. I wasn’t kidding about the corrosion, either. What do they do to the interior to protect it against spills and leaks? In fact, what assurances do you have that there isn’t already corrosion starting in hidden places? Dumb idea. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-this-is-serious-its-definitely-weird-its-kinda-neat/143184/9 "2002-12-17T02:57:11Z")
Good point-- but how long could a plane fly 24/7 before it fell apart? ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-this-is-serious-its-definitely-weird-its-kinda-neat/143184/10 "2002-12-17T03:04:28Z")
Not only is this an entirely stupid idea, but 1210 sq. ft. is WAY too small!! The house we have now is about 1300, and we’re constantly bitching that we need more space! ---
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-this-is-serious-its-definitely-weird-its-kinda-neat/143184/11 "2002-12-17T03:04:44Z")
After 3 days the oil would burn up. Sorry no cite ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Berkut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@Berkut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Berkut)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-this-is-serious-its-definitely-weird-its-kinda-neat/143184/12 "2002-12-17T08:34:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by FairyChatMom \* > \*\*But I wouldn’t live in one. I wasn’t kidding about the corrosion, either. What do they do to the interior to protect it against spills and leaks? In fact, what assurances do you have that there isn’t already corrosion starting in hidden places? \*\* A 727 is pretty well protected against corrosion. Most surfaces are coated with a zinc chromate primer before they are painted. Also, some parts are alclad, meaning they are an aluminum alloy coated with a thin layer of pure aluminum that will not corrode. Corrosion is still a problem, though. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-this-is-serious-its-definitely-weird-its-kinda-neat/143184/13 "2002-12-17T11:25:31Z")
There’s a hanger full of airplanes across the street from me full of primed and alclad parts that are also full of corrosion. While coatings can help slow the onset of corrosion, all it takes is one ding with a tool or a scratch across the surface or a spot where a liquid can pool undetected for a while. Our planes are inspected thoroughly by professionals who know what they’re looking for. Many’s the time I’ve seen something as just a little dirt when, in fact, it was the beginning of the end… :eek: That’s why planes are inspected at regular intervals - you don’t want crucial parts falling off because the structure was rotting away. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-this-is-serious-its-definitely-weird-its-kinda-neat/143184/14 "2002-12-17T11:43:10Z")
I can’t speak for the validity of these particular people (though I see no reason why they shouldn’t be taken seriously), plenty of people have converted airplanes into homes. It’s not a new idea by any means, my dad has been wanting to do it for quite some time. Personally I’d rather live in an aircraft carrier but that would be significantly more expensive :). ---
**Author:** ![Broken\_Doll](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbce88/32.png) [@Broken\_Doll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broken_Doll)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-this-is-serious-its-definitely-weird-its-kinda-neat/143184/15 "2002-12-17T15:05:59Z")
This is probably a completely stupid question, and I won’t be surprised if you all point and laugh at me, but…what about lightning? Would living in an airoplane increase your chances of being struck by lightning? Could it be fatal to live in an airoplane made of metal? Please be gentle… ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-this-is-serious-its-definitely-weird-its-kinda-neat/143184/16 "2002-12-17T15:17:10Z")
Same seller also lists an [island](http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1310&item=1943669484) for sale. ---
**Author:** ![Sunshine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Sunshine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunshine)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-this-is-serious-its-definitely-weird-its-kinda-neat/143184/17 "2002-12-17T16:34:04Z")
While this guy seems on the sketchy side, I know it actually has been done before. There was even an episode of _Extreme Homes_ that featured one. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-this-is-serious-its-definitely-weird-its-kinda-neat/143184/18 "2002-12-17T16:38:04Z")
A lightning strike wouldn’t be fatal if the structure was grounded properly. I don’t know if it would attract more strikes, tho. I’m not aware of airplanes on the tarmac attracting more lightning strikes than any other structure, but I’ll admit I’ve never made a study of it. ---
**Author:** ![Berkut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@Berkut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Berkut)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-this-is-serious-its-definitely-weird-its-kinda-neat/143184/19 "2002-12-17T17:21:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sunshine \* > \*\*While this guy seems on the sketchy side, I know it actually has been done before. There was even an episode of _Extreme Homes_ that featured one. \*\* This is a real company. They are located about 10 miles away from me, and I see their airplanes all the time when I fly into the Smyrna airport. They have even given us parts for our 727. I don’t know how many homes they have made or why they have a badly photoshopped pic on that auction, but they do exist and they have been around for a while (3-4 years at least). I wonder if I should take the digital camera up there and snap a few pictures. See if they have any ready to go with interiors and all. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-this-is-serious-its-definitely-weird-its-kinda-neat/143184/20 "2002-12-17T17:28:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Weirddave \* > \*\*Would you want to live in an [old airplane?](http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1789717707&category=12605) > \*\* Nope. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-this-is-serious-its-definitely-weird-its-kinda-neat/143184.md?page=2)