A Southwest Airlines pilot bought an airplane catering truck for $3,300. He spent 7 months turning it into a mobile tiny home — see how he did it.

Amanda GohApr 19, 2023, 14:24 IST

The exterior of the aircraft box truck before it was converted.Mark Pankey

Mark Pankey bought a decommissioned Southwest Airlines aircraft catering truck at an auction for $3,300.
Pankey, who is also a Southwest Airlines pilot, spent 7 months converting the vehicle into a mobile tiny home.

Most pilots have regular houses, and then there's Mark Pankey — a Southwest Airlines pilot who's living in a former aircraft catering truck that he turned into a tiny home.

Mark Pankey is a Southwest Airlines pilot who lives out of an aircraft catering truck that he converted into a tiny home.Mark Pankey

Most pilots have regular houses, and then there's Mark Pankey — a Southwest Airlines pilot who's living in a former aircraft catering truck that he turned into a tiny home.

But everything changed when the pandemic struck. As the entire aviation industry ground to a halt, Pankey felt it was time to rethink his lifestyle and his goals.

The exterior of the aircraft box truck before it was converted.Mark Pankey

Pankey ended up buying one of the former Southwest Airlines catering trucks for $3,300 in the auction.

The interiors of the former aircraft catering truck before Pankey renovated it.Mark Pankey

One of the first things that Pankey did was rebuild the roof: The truck originally came with a flat roof, but he wanted something with a slope.

The truck originally had a flat roof, but Pankey rebuilt it and turned it into a sloped roof.Mark Pankey

Pankey said it took about a week for him to completely cover the truck's interiors with spray foam insulation.

Insulating the walls of the aircraft catering truck took Pankey about a week of work.Mark Pankey

Pankey worked on his tiny home while it was parked outside of his Colorado apartment complex. He built everything on his own — including the floors, the walls, and the cabinets.

Pankey built the cabinets inside the tiny home on his own.Mark Pankey

Pankey worked on his tiny home while it was parked outside of his Colorado apartment complex. He built everything on his own — including the floors, the walls, and the cabinets.

The original truck had a white exterior, but Pankey painted it grey to resemble the fighter planes that he used to fly back when he was in the Air Force.

Inspired by the car in the 1977 action comedy "Smokey and the Bandit," Pankey even spray-painted a bird on the hood of his truck.Mark Pankey

Pankey started renovating his truck in April 2020 and completed the project seven months later in November. He named the vehicle "SnakPak."

Mark Pankey sitting on the hood of his converted aircraft box truck tiny home.Mark Pankey

The scissor lift on the truck is still functional and can be raised to a maximum height of 17 feet, although Pankey very rarely gets it up that high.

The scissor lift goes up to a maximum height of 17 feet.Mark Pankey

The box section of the truck is about 14 feet long. The loft and some storage cabinets are on one end, while the middle section is occupied by a kitchen countertop.

The sleeping loft and some storage cabinets occupy one end of the box section.Mark Pankey

The other end of the box section is where the composting toilet and shower cubicle is.

The other end of the box section is where the composting toilet and shower cubicle is.Mark Pankey

Pankey uses a mix of wires and magnets to keep his things anchored while he's on the road.

The shelves that Pankey built.Mark Pankey

Pankey covered the outdoor deck with artificial turf to resemble a mini backyard.

The outdoor deck and kitchen.Mark Pankey

There's an outdoor showerhead and a mini platform at the back of the truck.

There's an outdoor shower at the back of the truck.Mark Pankey

Pankey's electricity comes from solar panels that he installed on the roof. The truck also has a water tank that he can either fill up with rainwater or at truck stops.

An aerial view of the solar panels on the top of the aircraft catering truck.Mark Pankey

The sides of the aircraft catering truck are lined with old snowboards and skis that Pankey cut to fit around his windows.

The sides of the aircraft catering truck are lined with snowboards, while the back is covered in logs.Mark Pankey

Pankey has been living full-time in the converted aircraft catering truck for over two years. He has since sold his Colorado apartment and land.

Pankey uses the catering truck to tow his Tacoma pickup.Mark Pankey

Pankey has some advice for others who are looking to do the same as him: Think about what works for your lifestyle and falls within your capabilities.

The scissor lift on the converted aircraft catering truck can go up to a maximum height of 17 feet.Mark Pankey

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A Southwest Airlines pilot bought an airplane catering truck for $3,300. He spent 7 months turning it into a mobile tiny home &mdash; see how he did it.

Most pilots have regular houses, and then there's Mark Pankey — a Southwest Airlines pilot who's living in a former aircraft catering truck that he turned into a tiny home.

But everything changed when the pandemic struck. As the entire aviation industry ground to a halt, Pankey felt it was time to rethink his lifestyle and his goals.

Pankey ended up buying one of the former Southwest Airlines catering trucks for $3,300 in the auction.

One of the first things that Pankey did was rebuild the roof: The truck originally came with a flat roof, but he wanted something with a slope.

Pankey said it took about a week for him to completely cover the truck's interiors with spray foam insulation.

Pankey worked on his tiny home while it was parked outside of his Colorado apartment complex. He built everything on his own — including the floors, the walls, and the cabinets.

The original truck had a white exterior, but Pankey painted it grey to resemble the fighter planes that he used to fly back when he was in the Air Force.

Pankey started renovating his truck in April 2020 and completed the project seven months later in November. He named the vehicle "SnakPak."

The scissor lift on the truck is still functional and can be raised to a maximum height of 17 feet, although Pankey very rarely gets it up that high.

The box section of the truck is about 14 feet long. The loft and some storage cabinets are on one end, while the middle section is occupied by a kitchen countertop.

The other end of the box section is where the composting toilet and shower cubicle is.

Pankey uses a mix of wires and magnets to keep his things anchored while he's on the road.

Pankey covered the outdoor deck with artificial turf to resemble a mini backyard.

There's an outdoor showerhead and a mini platform at the back of the truck.

Pankey's electricity comes from solar panels that he installed on the roof. The truck also has a water tank that he can either fill up with rainwater or at truck stops.

The sides of the aircraft catering truck are lined with old snowboards and skis that Pankey cut to fit around his windows.

Pankey has been living full-time in the converted aircraft catering truck for over two years. He has since sold his Colorado apartment and land.

Pankey has some advice for others who are looking to do the same as him: Think about what works for your lifestyle and falls within your capabilities.

A Southwest Airlines pilot bought an airplane catering truck for $3,300. He spent 7 months turning it into a mobile tiny home — see how he did it.