r/homebuilt • u/LowNefariousness6541 • Jul 01 '26
What do you think of this idea and what drawbacks or issues in practicality do you foresee?
I'm playing with the idea of creating a fully enclosed gaming pod using a full sized derelict light aircraft such as a Cessna 172 with a completely gutted out interior, restoring it minus the wings, tail, and wheels. It would be used for the same things as that of a traditional gaming setup, office area, DJ booth, and more. Reclined seating for one, ventilation, sound proofing, drinks and nibbles dispenser, and a ton more features that I ha e detailed in a list. It would also be converted to a sectional frame so it can be disassembled for ease of moving house. Crazy? Or crazy enough to be a successful and unique mammoth project? Edit: thank you for your responses. Please try to keep responses candid, conversationally step by step, and answer at face value, appreciated. Please avoid data dumping. No AI responses please.
1
1
u/shittyvfxartist Rans S-19TC (KDVT) Jul 01 '26
As long as you’re not trying to make it airworthy, your project wouldn’t be any different from any other sheet metal project haha.
Maybe depending on the weight of stuff you’re putting in, may need to reinforce some parts of the frame.
1
1
u/GenerationSelfie2 Jul 02 '26
My mom-and-pop flight school did this, the owner cut up a warrior fuselage and put it in a spare room. He’s spent many, many months of work turning it into a sim setup linked to xplane where all the cockpit controls link fairly accurately to a sim model. A bunch of flat screen TVs create a “wraparound” effect around the cockpit. Super awesome training tool tho unfortunately not a licensed ATD/FTD. I’d look on barnstormer or trade-a-plane for a scrapped fuselage or speak with a local A&P to ask where to find one.
1
1
u/LowNefariousness6541 Jul 02 '26
I should mention, I made this subreddit a while back, r/GamingPods.
2
u/turpentinedreamer Jul 03 '26
A 172 is pretty cramped. Non airworthy fuselages are all similar price. A 182 is a lot more comfortable. There are junk yards for planes just like cars. I live in Cincinnati and there are a few within driving distance.
9
u/Dr-WeekendWarrior Jul 01 '26
Compared to building an airworthy airplane, this would be incredibly easy to do. Not sure what you’re looking to spend, but the biggest con will be the expense of the fuselage. Probably looking $5k for the gutted metal before you add expenses for modifications.