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The Airplane House was born from Gerardo Araújo’s dream, 71, of living in an aircraft. In Porto Velho, he built with his own hands replicas of airplanes, including a cabin inspired by the Airbus A320, and saw the space gain visitors, social media buzz, and even recognition from Embraer.
Passion for aviation began in the 1960s
Gerardo Araújo’s relationship with aviation began in the 1960s when his father bought a magazine about the Apollo 11 mission. He says he was fascinated to see astronauts and aircraft.
From that contact, the interest turned into a recurring dream. According to Gerardo, he began to imagine airplanes landing in his backyard, a memory that remained throughout his life.
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The idea of turning this desire into construction began at 60 years old when he decided to create the current Airplane House in the rural area of Porto Velho.
Image: Reproduction/YouTube/Embraer
Airbus A320 cabin was made with masonry and various materials
The first major structure of the project was a replica of the Airbus A320 cabin, built at kilometer 13 of the Estrada da Areia Branca. Gerardo states that since he couldn’t buy an airplane, he decided to build one.
The construction was based on masonry and cost about R$ 20,000 at the time. Gerardo was responsible for half of the labor, while the other part was done by his brother-in-law.
After the main structure, he dedicated himself to the finishes and decoration of the cabin, trying to bring the environment closer to the reality of an aircraft. For this, he used materials such as acrylic, fiber, iron, and wood.
The technical interest also appears in flight simulators. Gerardo often plays Microsoft Flight Simulator X and Prepar3D, maintaining contact with procedures, commands, and experiences related to aviation.
Phenom 100 Replica Caught Embraer’s Attention
During the pandemic, Gerardo built a replica of the Phenom 100. The new aircraft gained traction on the internet and caught the attention of Embraer, the executive jet manufacturer.
In 2022, at the company’s invitation, Gerardo and his wife, Isabel, traveled to cities in São Paulo to see aircraft up close.
During the visit, he received a Phenom 100 Owner’s Certificate, documentation with a registration number, logbook, and visitor cards.
The experience included sitting in the pilot’s seat and flying as a passenger in a real Phenom 100. Gerardo said he expanded his technical knowledge by studying, watching videos on the internet, and learning at the Embraer factory.
Space Will Be Expanded with Boeing 737-800, Suite, and New Aircraft Replicas
The Airplane House also grew on social media. Gerardo gathers 25,000 followers on Instagram and claims that the attention brought reporters, visitors, tourists, and radio stations to the location.
Now, the family is moving to expand the project at kilometer 6 of the same Estrada da Areia Branca. For now, those interested in visiting need to wait for the renovation to be completed.
When it reopens, the Airplane House will be open every day and will have new attractions for tourists. Gerardo states that the new space will feature a replica of a Boeing 737-800 with a simulator installed in the cabin.
The structure will also include seats in the passenger cabin up to the wings. From the wings to the tail, the project plans for a suite for those who wish to spend a night at the Airplane House.
In addition to the Boeing and the Phenom 100, Gerardo built a copy of a Bell 206 helicopter and plans to offer a replica of a Cessna 152 aircraft as well. The space will also feature a model of the Porto Velho airport with several planes on the tarmac.
This article was prepared based on the information provided in the source material, with data, numbers, and statements preserved as per the consulted material.
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