A Chinese farmer couldn't fly a plane, so he built one

When a Chinese garlic farmer's dream of flying an airplane didn't pan out, he decided to build one instead.

The full-scale replica of the Airbus A320 built by farmer Zhu Yue is now nearly finished, permanently taxied on a short piece of tarmac surrounded by wheat fields in northeast China.

Zhu didn't finish middle school, and started out farming onions and garlic before moving on to welding work in a factory in the small city of Kaiyuan.

Last year he realised he may never be able to fly a plane.

"I hit midlife and realised I couldn't buy one, but I could build one," he told AFP.

He has invested his savings of more than 2.6 million yuan ($374,000) into the project that began with a toy model of an Airbus 320 shrunken to one-eightieth its original size.

With that he measured dimensions, studied online photos, and with a heap of mistakes, crafted the fuselage, wings, cockpit, engines and tail. He used 60 tonnes of steel.

Five fellow aircraft enthusiasts-cum-labourers have helped speed the project along.

"On the one hand they're earning money, on the other they're fulfilling dreams, accomplishing things," Zhu said.

The homemade Airbus will not be flying any time soon. Zhu has decided to turn it into a diner.

The plane's latest additions are a self-made cockpit outfitted with replica flight instruments and a stair car for getting aboard.

"We will put down a red carpet so every person who comes to eat will feel like a head of state," Zhu said.

On board the A320's customary 156 seats have been turned into 36 first class chairs for customers, Zhu said.

He is not yet sure if he will serve hamburgers and French fries or regular Chinese food that the locals may prefer.

Parked not far from the interstate, Zhu is hopeful the plane will soon fill up with hungry passengers.

Related Links
Aerospace News at SpaceMart.com

Tweet

Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.

SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly

paypal only

SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once

credit card or paypal

Cathay Pacific hit by data leak affecting 9.4m passengers
Hong Kong (AFP) Oct 24, 2018
Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific said Wednesday it had suffered a major data leak affecting up to 9.4 million passengers. The airline admitted data including passport numbers, identity card numbers, email addresses and credit card details was accessed. "We are in the process of contacting affected passengers, using multiple communications channels, and providing them with information on steps they can take to protect themselves," Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Officer Rupert Hogg said in a ... read more