A pilot finds the “corpse” of an airplane, turns it into a luxury apartment, and starts the business of the century

A flight instructor in Alaska spotted what he called the “perfect aircraft corpse,” then turned it into one of the most unusual rental properties in the country.

After stripping the plane down to its shell, the aircraft was hauled to Big Lake, Alaska, where it has been reborn as a fully equipped luxury apartment available to rent.

From grounded plane to one-of-a-kind living space

John Kotwicki, a flight instructor and former commercial pilot, had a lifelong ambition: to buy a retired airplane and convert it into a place to live. He found his opportunity in a Douglas DC-6 cargo plane and committed to an extensive renovation that took thousands of hours of hands-on work.

According to Greek outlet Iefimerida, Kotwicki initially thought he had stumbled upon the “perfect corpse,” a plane with the right structure and history to become a one-of-a-kind living space.

Built in 1956, the aircraft spent decades hauling supplies and fuel to remote Alaskan villages. Once it was retired from service, the plane ended up on Kotwicki’s 14-hectare property, roughly 35 acres, in Big Lake. Over four intense days, he and his team dismantled the aircraft using saws, plasma cutters and other heavy tools, eventually turning it into a functional two-bedroom apartment.

A move across Alaska and a battle with the cold

Today, the converted plane doubles as an Airbnb rental and housing for students attending Kotwicki’s flight school. One of the toughest challenges came before anyone could sleep inside it, transporting the aircraft from Fairbanks to Big Lake.

Even more complicated was making an aluminum fuselage livable in extreme Alaskan winters. An early insulation attempt using fiberglass failed because the material could not conform to the curved interior walls. Moisture built up quickly, creating what Kotwicki described as an indoor tropical jungle.

Working nonstop to make airplane livable

The breakthrough came with a layered solution combining spray polyurethane foam, reflective insulation and PVC paneling. A mechanical ventilation system was also installed, pulling cold air from the tail of the plane and venting warm, humid air out the rear.

The project ultimately involved about 20 workers who completely reimagined the aircraft’s interior. From the outside, the plane still looks much like it did in its working days. Inside, it offers all the comforts of a modern home.

The layout includes a living room, dining area, two bedrooms and even a patio built into one of the wings. The only space left untouched is the cockpit, which still features the captain’s and co-pilot’s seats along with the original switches once used to fly the plane.

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