You Won't Believe What This Man Did with This Airplane

What would you do if you found an airplane in the woods? Would you think it's the wreckage of a forgotten crash or a graveyard for old planes? If you saw this plane passing through Hillsboro, Oregon, the answer is neither. It's actually the home of a retired electrical engineer and a very creative man named Bruce Campbell.

In his later years, Bruce discovered a new passion. He couldn't stand seeing beautiful airplanes reduced to scrap metal, so he transformed them into stunning homes. He firmly believed that the potential of an airplane is much more than just flying in the sky.

With his imagination, an old airplane, a piece of land, and a bit of know-how, he created one of the most unique homes in the world. Read on to find out how he built this one-of-a-kind house and take a peek inside!

A Visionary Man

This 64-year-old retired electrical engineer has always been a man of vision. When Bruce Campbell was in his twenties, he bought a 10-acre piece of land in the middle of the woods in Hillsboro, Oregon, for $23,000. He had a very specific plan in mind.

Campbell always loved tinkering with old things and inventing new uses for them. Due to this interest, his initial plan for the land was to build a home using two cargo vans. He kept this goal in mind for years until the day he heard about what someone else had created.

When Bruce was in his forties, he heard about Joanne Ussery, a hairdresser from Mississippi who had transformed a decommissioned Boeing 727 into a unique home. After her regular house burned down, Joanne had enough and moved into an airplane by a relaxing lake. Although he had already started making plans for a van, Campbell was inspired by this story.

He decided that an airplane would be much more fun than playing around with vans. He also thought it was a real shame to scrap an airplane. He already had the land to place the plane, but now he needed the money to buy the plane and move it to his land in Oregon.

Purchased a Boeing

While it’s not often you hear about individuals buying a Boeing 727, that’s exactly what Bruce did in 1999. He bought it from Olympic Airways, based in Athens, for the hefty price of $100,000. Throughout his journey on #planelife, the transportation of the plane to Oregon was the most challenging obstacle.

In the end, the transport cost him an additional $120,000, bringing the cost of the plane, which still needed to be renovated, to $220,000. Maybe money can’t buy happiness, but perhaps your sense of happiness can be helped by living in an old airplane in the woods.

This tech enthusiast was eager to receive his new toy, but first, he had to finish transporting the plane to the Oregon woods. Many people worked to separate the wings of the plane to transport it to the wilderness that Campbell called home.

When the plane reached its final destination, they removed the wings so Campbell could reattach them. Bruce remembers starting the project as a “work in progress,” but over the years, it became something much more significant thanks to his industriousness and creativity.

Hard Work

When Bruce embarked on this adventure, he saw it as a fun hobby and didn’t really think about the outcome. However, convinced that planes could be incredible homes instead of being wasted and “mindlessly scrapped,” he knew he wanted to improve their habitability.

Campbell worked on the fuselage for years while living in cargo vans as a “neighbor.” Settling in the woods is no small feat, but he is a hardworking man ready to do anything to achieve his goal.

When the vans became infested with rats, Bruce had no choice but to move into the plane without a building permit. This is when he really began to understand the space he was working on, a space hard to believe was once a functional plane.

In an interview with the Mirror, Bruce said that “breaking a beautiful, gleaming jet airliner is a senseless tragedy and a profound failure of human imagination.” He mentioned that some people might think it’s strange and lonely to live alone in the woods in an old plane, but it was entirely normal for him.

He noted that planes “have a technical elegance not found in other structures where people can live.” While he never had a specific plan for the interior of his Boeing Airbus, he was captivated by the vision he had once inside.

“The next time you board a jet airliner, close your eyes for a moment and imagine it in your head, removing all the seats, removing all the other people,” he told Business Insider. “Then open your eyes with that image in mind and think of the expanse of the living room. It’s a fantastic environment, really.”

Final Preparations

In anticipation of presenting his masterpiece to the public, Bruce cleaned his new home with a high-pressure water hose. It may sound like a simple task, but the entire process took about four days, as he reported to the Daily Mail.

Not only did he have to clean his Boeing 727 every two years, but he also had to use stairs to board the plane and wash the engine. The task carried a certain degree of risk because the height of the fall was significant and the water sprayer could swing unexpectedly. It's no surprise that the cleaning made him nervous, but the result was worth it.

In Bruce's brilliant vision, every jet has the potential to become an "aviation-class fortress" suitable for human habitation. "If a traditional house is like a good family Chevy or Ford, an airplane is like a new Tesla or Porsche Carrera," he said in an interview with the Daily Mail.

Indeed, like a castle, Campbell's airplane house is supported by concrete pillars and has its own driveway leading to Hillsboro, Oregon. Every time visitors come, they are always impressed by the efforts put into building the plane and easily understand that the plane did not land there by magic.

A Work in Progress

While Bruce prefers to keep as much of the original technology intact as possible, including the controls he found in the cockpit, he had to modify a few elements inside to make the airplane habitable. Imagine having to sit in a cramped airplane seat at all times with no legroom!

For Bruce, this airplane is still a work in progress, even though it is a fully functional home. He built his own handcrafted shower and also restored some interesting elements such as the flight stairs and the very familiar airplane toilets. He also installed LED lighting and even original seats. At this point, you really have to wonder what this place looks like today.

To access Bruce's Boeing home, you need to climb the original folding stairs, just as many travelers do when they jet around the world. Bruce loves the original look of his plane. When designing his home, he paid attention to the smallest details, such as installing a shoe rack in front of the aircraft.

On this shelf, there are many pairs of slippers that visitors can wear to feel at home in the airplane. Furthermore, since it is difficult to clean such a large house, Bruce wants all guests to wear slippers or socks in the house.

House Rules

It is very difficult for Bruce to keep his house clean, especially since the floor is glass and he lives in a dirty forest. That’s why the socks and slippers rule is so important in Bruce’s home. Even though he lives alone, it doesn't mean he doesn't like living in a clean and organized place.

Bruce himself walks around his Boeing wearing only slippers and socks. He wants to keep the plexiglass floors as clean as possible because he loves to gaze in wonder through his glass floor and let his imagination run wild to create his jet.

Although the jet has as much space as a small mansion, Bruce continues to lead a generally modest lifestyle. His bed is just a mattress, his kitchen includes only a microwave and a toaster, and he subsists primarily on cereal and canned goods.

He also invents many makeshift devices. Here, you can see Bruce lying on his mattress next to a collection of his belongings. When he's not resting, you can usually find him renovating the airplane house. The next step is the bathroom!

Handcrafted Shower

Although the Boeing is equipped with two already installed toilets, our favorite part is the improvised shower at the back of the plane. To enjoy modern conveniences like water and electricity in his home, Bruce had to dig a path to divert a reliable power line. He then combined an old meter base with an old electric cable before installing a new breaker cabinet in the jet with a telecom cable, PVC piping, and a replacement water line. Now he could shave and brush his teeth with the cleanest water.

While the cockpit still has all its original instruments and controls, Bruce has turned this most critical area into a reading and entertainment space. He loves trying to improve this part of the plane because he finds it fun to play with all the amusing technologies. "It's a great toy. Warped doors, warped floors. Hooks here, hooks there. Watching Star Trek movies in a Star Trek-like environment," he enthusiastically explained to Business Insider. He then boasted that living inside an airplane is idyllic for a tech enthusiast like him, "Having lots of little toys inside a very big toy, that's nirvana."

An Engineer's Paradise

Bruce spends most of the day sitting in the plane, working on his computer, thinking about how to improve the design of his airplane. He genuinely enjoys the entire process.

He told the Daily Mail, "I think most people are geeks to some degree inside. The goal is to have fun." Working and living on an airplane should truly be an engineer's paradise. Living on the land, he really learned to understand it and gained a new perspective on how to improve it.

In addition to a homemade plumbing system, Bruce has worked on repairing interior and exterior lights. Living alone in the jungle is no easy task, so he ensures he continues to benefit from some modern comforts like hot water and lighting.

Essentially, the airplane is like a normal house at night. Thanks to his success in electrical engineering, Bruce can read, relax, work, or research at any time of day or night. He also worked on the original LED lights, as they are better for the environment.

Relationship with the Environment

Bruce loves taking care of the "yard" around the plane as meticulously as he takes care of the plane itself. He always strives to maintain the grass and weeds around the plane, giving it a homely appearance. Every week, he mows the lawn and removes the weeds under the aircraft to keep it looking neat. Otherwise, what would the neighbors say? It may not be easy, but Bruce Campbell isn't one to take the easy way out.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, a journalist asked him why his life's mission was to turn airplanes into habitable homes. Bruce responded by explaining how good it is for the earth and the people who live on it. He explained that airplanes are incredibly durable and won't have any problems facing storms or earthquakes.

Moreover, his personal Boeing was very easy to clean. "Their interiors are easy to keep impeccably clean because they are sealed pressure vessels. They can last for centuries," Bruce said. He also believes that more and more people will want to live in renovated airplanes once they realize the incredible environmental benefits of this practice.

Daily Life

While some people might not want to live in an airplane because it lacks the amenities of other homes, Bruce is living proof that this isn't true. Since he lives near the city, he has easy access to all the supplies he needs.

His kitchen is well-stocked with food, condiments, and other ingredients. Although he can't prepare a gourmet dinner, he's more interested in technology and his love for airplane living than luxurious kitchens. With running water, a toaster, and a microwave, he has no trouble making survival meals. At least he’s not eating airplane food!

Bruce's plane might be forever grounded, but his aviation home still gives the sense of being in the sky. To maintain this effect, he left a row of original seats inside to remind himself that the plane once flew.

Although most of the airplane seats were removed to create a living space, he felt it was important to keep some of the original seats to remind him why he loved living in the airplane. Plus, guests are free to relax in these very comfortable seats for as long as they wish.

An Entertaining Life

Bruce loves spending time in the cockpit. This is where his imagination runs wild, so it's also where he prefers to envision the next step of his project. He also enjoys relaxing and reading in this spot.

In essence, it’s a personalized playroom for him. Sitting in the cockpit, he can visualize himself as the pilot and imagine what it's like to soar through the skies. He loves playing with all the gadgets and figuring out what they do. As a tech enthusiast, it's truly a paradise for him.

Additionally, Bruce Campbell doesn’t neglect his personal hygiene in the airplane he has transformed into a home. He uses clean water to brush his teeth and even installed his own washing machine so he can wear clean clothes.

This man is living proof that if you’re willing to dream big enough and put in a little skillful work, you can do almost anything. If this guy can do it, you have no excuse not to do your laundry!

An Ordinary Man in an Extraordinary Home

Sure, he may live in an unusual house, but at heart, Bruce Campbell is an ordinary man. He takes care of himself and cares about his appearance. In fact, the neat and tidy style of his home reflects how he takes care of himself.

Since he doesn't live on a deserted island or as a complete hermit, he still shaves, showers, and washes like a normal person. His airplane home is equipped with everything he needs to be a civilized person.

There are actually many advantages to living in a metal airplane rather than a more traditional wooden house. Bruce Campbell explained his point of view to Business Insider like this: "Wood, I think, is a terrible building material. It's biodegradable – it's food for termites and microbes. Or firewood; whichever comes first."

He also believes that a traditional rectangular shape is inadequate, as it focuses on ergonomics rather than durability. "It makes no sense to me to demolish the best structures we have only to build houses with materials that are little better than compressed cardboard, using ancient and slapdash design and construction methods."

A Proud Homeowner

Many people ask him if the plane crashed in Oregon and if he decided to fix it afterward. Bruce dislikes such questions because he finds them completely illogical and unnecessary.

His mission is to inform the public about the extent of the efforts put into a project like his. He finds it strange that not everyone understands why he does what he does, but he also acknowledges that many people don't realize what's possible.

Like other homeowners, you can see Bruce proudly posing in his airplane home. Everyone knows that home is where the heart is, and Bruce’s heart is in that cockpit, playing with all the tech gadgets he loves and fixing up his "mobile" home.

It seems this is not the end for old Bruce—he has even bigger and better plans for his next project! Read on to find out what he has in mind and where he's headed next.

His Next Project

As hard as it may be to believe, Bruce only lives in his Boeing 727 half the year. He enjoys a change of scenery, so for the other six months, he lives in Japan, quite far from his airplane.

While in Japan, this engineer works on other projects to keep himself busy. One of his ideas, in particular, has garnered a lot of attention lately, and you won’t believe what it is. Can you make a good guess?

Bruce’s next project is an even larger plane, a Boeing 747, which he plans to park at his second home in Japan so he can live in style all year round. Since he’s trying to help the environment in one country, it certainly makes sense to make a similar effort in his other country. Plus, now that he has one renovated airplane under his belt, the next one should be easy!

His Purpose

Bruce firmly believes his purpose in life is to make a difference. He wants to help humanity and the environment through his innovations. Indeed, it makes sense that a man who works as an electrical engineer would have such motivation.

No matter the reason high-tech airplanes fascinate him, this niche is very important to him. He’s set out to win hearts and minds. “My goal is to change human behavior in this little niche,” Campbell says with a smile in front of his unique home.

Bruce decided to park his Boeing 727 in the forests of Hillsboro, Oregon, for a few simple reasons. First, he found a job there when he graduated in the '70s, and he loves the surrounding wildlife. “I love the area, it’s very green, and Oregon has an open-mindedness that I like. There’s a rural vibe, it’s very beautiful. More than enough for a plane,” he writes on his personal website,

Although he made a lot of money with his engineering business, he delayed homeownership for a long time. In a report to the Daily Mail, he stated that he didn’t want to be financially tied down by a mortgage burden. When he finally saved enough money to buy a house outright, he had something entirely different in mind. “I stopped thinking in traditional terms and thought like a free engineer,” he explained.

Opening "Home"

Bruce proudly showcases his unique home to enthusiasts and tourists. If you find yourself near Hillsboro, contact him via his website to schedule a personal visit. You can even stand inside this one-of-a-kind place. When asked about visitors, Campbell told the Daily Mail, “I often have visitors. Someone visits me almost every day now, and I encourage that.” He is happy that others want to appreciate his innovation and lifestyle, and of course, he loves spreading his message. He wants everyone to know that the airplane is “a great toy” and “one of the best structures humanity has ever built.”

Over the years, many people have visited Campbell’s incredible Boeing home, and of course, there have been a few awkward moments. One day, while he was taking a shower, some curious folks boarded the plane for a tour. Bruce reports that three-quarters of his guests contacted him in advance to schedule a visit through his website, while others just showed up unannounced.

“I live in a pretty transparent environment; I continue living while people tour my plane, and sometimes it’s a very intimate environment,” he explained to the Daily Mail. Nevertheless, he finds it fulfilling as he meets many friendly people and learns a lot.

Interesting Events

In addition to hosting tours of his fascinating home, Bruce also organizes numerous important events throughout the year. For example, from June 30 to July 3, 2018, he hosted Yoko Pomily, a singer from Tokyo, for a unique concert with other musicians. The concert took place on the grassy area in front of the plane’s right wing.

He announced the show on his website, along with numerous guidelines and instructions for “a new concert option: Great music created from the wing of a shimmering aviation house.” He instructed guests to come in comfortable, countryside-appropriate clothes and tennis or running shoes. Bruce even provided slippers for those who wanted to take a peek inside.

Another major event at Bruce’s place was a huge dance party organized by a DJ in partnership with Murderboat Productions, a Portland-based party promotion company. The party took place from September 7 to 9, 2018. They called it “Turbulence: Dance Party on a 727 in the Jungle,” and the DJs set up their system on the wing, while guests partied on the ground nearby.

Airplane Castle 2.0

As we mentioned, Bruce divides his time between the Boeing 727 in the Oregon forest and Japan, where he hopes to launch his next project. He soon hopes to buy a small piece of land and set up a Boeing 757-400 there.

This man is incredibly enthusiastic about upcycling airplanes and believes that anyone who steps into a plane for a visit or event will feel the same way. On his website, Campbell writes that his mission is to “spark a renaissance in thinking about how to use this extraordinary resource.” He wants to spread the gospel and help others renovate their own airplane homes.

This talented engineer plans to start the Japanese aviation castle project on the island of Kyushu in 2018. He decided to place the plane there because he wants it to be a boon not just for him but for the local community as well.

His goal is to transform this airplane into a lifeboat for regions like Kyushu that are highly exposed to tsunamis. Bruce wants everyone to know that airplanes can withstand long periods and intense conditions because they are designed to fly at high speeds in the air.

He’s Not Alone

Would you have guessed that Bruce is among the handful of people in the world who have transformed a decommissioned airplane into a personal living space? It’s true; there are people living in planes worldwide, from Texas to Costa Rica to the Netherlands.

Martin Todd, a spokesperson for the Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association (AFRA), said that his group is “happy to see aircraft fuselages being reused in various creative ways. We want them to be reclaimed and reused in an environmentally sustainable manner.”

AFRA is a special interest group that promotes sustainable practices regarding aircraft and their engines. Another spokesperson estimates that between 1,200 and 1,800 planes will be retired from service in the next three years, and 500 to 600 each year for the next 20 years. If we follow in Bruce Campbell’s footsteps, all of these homes will be fit for humans!

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