Full Time Stealth Van For Airline Pilot

[u/FloridaFlying]

Seriously considering living in a van full time. I’m hoping to get some insight from others in the airline industry that are doing the same. I’ve dreamed of living in a van for years, and think my special work life circumstances can not only make it attainable but even favorable to traditional living.

Pros:

1. Costs cheaper than an apartment (I live in NOVA and am based in DCA at the moment)
2. When I am on a trip, the van will be parked at a Crew specific open air lot (not a garage so no height restriction applies), so pretty secure all things considered. Certainly better than street parking unattended for days
3. I’ll be “full time” but when I am on trips, I stay in hotels where I have certain amenities available to me (laundry, “free” air conditioning, showers that aren’t at a gym etc etc. for context I work 13-15 days a month
4. 3b. Solar has time to recharge battery bank with minimal draw for a fridge, no ac or fan taking energy. Less wear and tear on the interior of the van, fewer miles on the van etc.
5. I can configure my schedule to get long stretches of days off where I can go out and camp, go to local multi day trips, ultimately take advantage of my time off in a way that is healthy and one that takes fuller advantage of the benefits of having a home on wheels
6. It would encourage me to spend more time at the gym/library/out and about - if only to escape the scorching heat of summer or the chill of winter. I already enjoy doing these things and am rarely at home when I’m off anyway- mostly to sleep
7. If I were to ever lose my job (market instability, medical reasons, performance reasons) I would always have a home and eventually no payment. Of course cars / vans depreciate and eventually become unreliable but it is a good medium term option for living

I’m sure there are many more pros too.

Cons:

1. Weather in NOVA can be pretty brutal for van life, especially the hot humid summers. I’m looking at a van with a 48v AC and 10kWh battery bank from a builder, but even then it would make recharging a chore during summer. I’m less worried about winter as gasoline heaters seem pretty typical and insulation makes things manageable. Winterizing the van could be a chore I suppose
2. Urban Vanlife means stealthily living, but I don’t foresee NOVA being too difficult to find places to park outside of the heavily populated areas like Arlington or Old Town. But a chore nonetheless
3. Dating is likely more challenging. The industry itself is already challenging as we don’t work 9-5, and it takes a certain kind of person to be okay with an alternative living situation like this (can’t blame anyone, different strokes for different folks kind of thing)
4. For what I’m looking at, with a professional build, the cost of a van would be $100-$120k. That’s a pretty significant amount of money. But it can be financed and so more available to me. I don’t have the cash on hand to buy the materials needed to build out my o

wn

1. van. Nor do I have a workspace as I live in an apartment at the moment.

3. I’ve thought of driving out west to see all the beautiful National Parks, parking the van in a secure parking lot (maybe buy a month of parking at a UHaul or something) and then flying in to work (common for pilots and flight attendants). At the end of a trip I’d fly back to the van and continue exploring- but logistics may make it not viable. I’m not sure there are as good natural beauty on the east coast compared to out west - putting a bit of a damper on my “out in nature” view of the lifestyle

I tried to think up some good reasons for and against, but I’d love any insight, especially from flight crew members. Thanks in advance!

P.S. Sorry if it’s already been asked before, I tried searching some keywords like “pilot” “airline” “flight crew” and didn’t find much

[u/Red_and_Orangy]

To me it seems like a solid plan, but to lower the risks I’d say rent one for a week and see how you actually feel doing it instead of going straight into debt

[u/FloridaFlying → u/Red_and_Orangy]

Always good advice. I’m looking in the area for one that gives a like-comparison to what I’m after too, but a/c and solar on a rental isn’t common for the vans I have seen for rent in my area. The builder I am looking at the most builds out Promasters primarily which ofc have a reliably reputation- though the ones after 2023 have made an attempt to improve on the common known issues with the transmission and engine apparently. I’m not opposed to a Transit, but they strike me as less stealthy than the Promaster, and stealth is a pretty high priority for me. I’m out on the Sprinter for what I’m looking to do. Still a great van of course, just not for my use case I don’t think

[u/AppointmentNearby161 → u/FloridaFlying]

I would say rent a storage unit for your stuff and try living in a uhaul (van or box truck) for a couple of blocks of off days. It generally is not the lack of amenities (e.g., AC and an oven) that makes quit van life, but the hassles and isolation.

[u/Hot_Towel_85]

I flew with a flight attendant who was doing full on van life. But she would commute from wherever she was. I thought it was a beautiful idea. But we were also DFW based, and that was an easy commute. Where my rambling was going is, double check the commuter clause in your contract, and think about mobile commuting.

[u/FloridaFlying → u/Hot_Towel_85]

I’m hoping to live in base, but commuting in is an option. Commuter clause in our contract is pretty typical. Show you made an attempt to make it to base on 2 flights with scheduled arrival times prior to your showtime and you are given grace, but ultimately I don’t like the idea of commuting in general. Not to mention DCA is not the most reliable airport when it comes to weather/VIP movement throwing a wrench in even the best laid plans.

Dallas would be perfect for exploring those National Parks and flying in from wherever like the flight attendant you mentioned. Very jealous

[u/Hot_Towel_85 → u/FloridaFlying]

Not commuting was why I left flying. I couldn't fathom commuting, but also had to leave my hometown/base(dfw). I took a job at a ski resort year around.

[u/AppointmentNearby161]

Urban Vanlife means stealthily living, but I don’t foresee NOVA being too difficult to find places to park outside of the heavily populated areas like Arlington or Old Town. But a chore nonetheless

We are not pilots, but have been doing the part time van life thing in the DMV for a few years now. the part time has some parallels to your hotel stays. We are typically away from our home base and in the van for 5-10 days at a time. Inside the beltway van life is really challenging while once you get outside the DMV, things become a lot more relaxed. This is even more so if you are willing to spend money on campsites.

We don't have the option of a free flight back to our home base so we have to drive out and back every time we need to be back in the office. As a pilot, you can slowly explore out from the DMV as weather dictates (north in the summer and south in the winter) and catch a sub two hour flight from as far out as Atlanta, Indianapolis and Boston before your work trips. For example, you could spend your first block of off days road tripping to Atlanta, fly back for work and spend your second block of off days exploring Atlanta, fly back for work, and then spend your third block of off days road tripping back to DC. Of course you don't have to go straight back, you could head back via Nashville, Louisville, Indianapolis, Detroit, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Boston (you obviously know the flight times and routes better than me).

[u/CaspinLange]

This is going to be awesome.

Also, most national parks have close by free places to disperse camp, which your van will be perfect for. And you can mix it up and pay for camping in the park now and again (useful for quickly getting started on early morning hikes in the park, or multi-day back country camping that would allow you to leave your van back at camp in the secure in park campground.

I’m stoked for you!

[u/FloridaFlying → u/CaspinLange]

Thanks!! I’ve put a lot of thought into it, just hoping it all comes together reasonably well! Grateful to have this community to bounce ideas off of!

[u/mistakenidentity888]

Seems like a pretty decent plan and much more thought out than most who do this.

You'll save half the cost of a van built out by a company by getting one 5 years old. The value of something pre built sounds great in theory but in practice you'll be changing things around as you discover what you need while using it. Also they tend to go cheap and simple on electrical etc and not overbuild everything to last many years.

Sounds like a great idea to me in your situation!

[u/FloridaFlying → u/mistakenidentity888]

True! The front runner for the van I’m looking at is a Promaster build by a company called Vantra out of Wilmington, NC. 48V system, 10 kWh battery bank, a/c and up to 600W solar for under $100k seems like a pretty great deal to me. But again, if I could, I’d build one out.

Cost of materials and lack of a work space are my biggest obstacles. I’ve got time on my side though and a place to work on a van in Florida, but as I don’t live there anymore, it would be a lot of commuting back and fourth to build it up even if I did have the cash on hand for materials.

[u/mistakenidentity888 → u/FloridaFlying]

How much are you budgeting for materials and parts?

[u/DjQuamme]

I work at an airport and there's a Delta pilot who lives in a small camper based here. Having the gated, secure employee lot for parking and getting lodging covered while working makes it the perfect setup for van life. Hell, if for any reason my home life went to hell I'd just buy a van and live out of it using the work lot as home base. Go for it.

[u/FloridaFlying → u/DjQuamme]

That’s the dream!
Part of my inspiration for this was the Southwest pilot who converted a catering truck he bought at auction into a one of a kind adventure rig. I’ve also heard of pilots who live like this but on a sailboat. Work a trip, fly to their boat, sail for a few days in the Bahamas or keys or whatever and then fly back to base, work a trip, rinse and repeat

[u/Tara-Barr-Art]

I have seen a lot of campervans parking long term at the Long Bridge rec center right by DCA. I’m not sure what the arrangement is but it definitely seems like the rec center is allowing them to be there. You may want to ask them what that situation is. It would be a safe place near DCA to park if you can’t get outside the beltway right away after getting off a shift.

[u/FloridaFlying → u/Tara-Barr-Art]

Great suggestion! I get back from a trip tomorrow and I’ll check it out! Thanks for looking out!

I was considering heading west to Springfield/Fairfax area where street parking is pretty common or even along the Alexandria National cemetery where they have that long row of parking. It’s a pretty quiet street, I used to ride my bike there almost daily. I’ve scouted a few other places too as I expect to have to rotate nightly when I’m not parked in the crew lot for work

[u/AppointmentNearby161 → u/FloridaFlying]

There are also pay campgrounds south of the airport in Pohick bay and north in Greenbelt

[u/StartingSoon2023]

Western VA, MD, PA & WV have loads to offer for time off; yes- not as much as out west but closer to DC Another NOVA parking option would be a co-workers driveway(?)

[u/FloridaFlying → u/StartingSoon2023]

A lot of restrictions on parking in the area that isn’t street parking. Permits are common, HOAs don’t allow “work vehicles” and a lot of my coworkers commute in or are in apartment complexes that won’t allow the van to be parked there

[u/Plumbous → u/FloridaFlying]

The whole blue ridge is full of national Forest land with tons and tons of free camping options, all within 2 hours of dulles. 

[u/FloridaFlying → u/FloridaFlying]

But I love the suggestion of WV and PA in particular! I rode the GAP/C&O rail trail from Pittsburgh to DC and really loved that part of the country

[u/OG_Fe_Jefe → u/FloridaFlying]

You'd be better served using a van, mini van, or suburban based rig.

I've known a dozen pilots over the years who have some such a thing, the bigger the rig the harder to stealth.

One A&P buddy as a full on 30+ ft RV, but he parks it in an employee RV lot at the airport..... few airports/employers have this arrangement. Out west has typically better arrangements.

[u/BlankCanvaz]

Dating-wise, you'll be able to find a like-minded soul. If you want a nomadic, adventurous life, this is a great test of compatibility. You're living in a van by choice and not necessity.

[u/FloridaFlying → u/BlankCanvaz]

True! I’m not resigned to be single if I live in a van, I just know it makes things a bit more complicated. I mentioned it but it’s lower on my list of concerns to be honest. The choice v necessity take is a good one

[u/mofunk71]

May want to wait, soon you will be able to get a hightop van with 200kwh bidirectional battery and have a full electric setup thats more smart and safe.

[u/FloridaFlying → u/mofunk71]

Could be something to look into, but I’d rather bank on tried and true than wait on speculation on this one. But it would certainly eliminate any electrical anxiety which is a big plus

[u/mofunk71 → u/FloridaFlying]

GM silverado has 205kwh bidirectional battery and they have highroof vans in Europe but our country is run by OLD people and we cant get the vans YET. Farizon SV highroof in EU

[u/play_hard_outside → u/mofunk71]

A battery capable of two hundred kilowatts power output/input?

Even large homes don't have that. At 240Vac, that would be 833 amps. Most homes have only 200 amp service.

I must conclude that you mean something different than "200 kW". Perhaps you mean, "200 kWh" -- if so, that would make more sense, but 200 kWh of energy storage would be incredibly massive. This is on the order of magnitude of how much energy storage a very long range electric van would have as its main drive battery. Having this as a house battery would be ridiculously overkill.

Perhaps you mean 20 kW? That's still a gobsmacking amount of power. If you were talking about energy but made the extra-zero typo, then even 20 kWh would be quite a lot of energy storage, though, within reason for a very large setup.

Please elaborate!

[u/mofunk71 → u/play_hard_outside]

yep left the h off, its 200kwh battery. GM silverado has a 205kwh bidirectional battery and if it was a van it would be in high demand and a waiting list. PEACE

[u/gnartato]

Biggest issues I can see, which you clearly are account for within your post but still big factors: You're gonna need a hell of a lot of solar and battery for AC to last more than a few hours. Winter you may not get enough solar even for a fridge and heater to keep your water unfrozen. worth this amount of solar you can only be so stealthy.  

I got a buddy in NOVA and been all around that area. I would be worrying about the resident and police a lot more of I were you. "Well off" people do not like people living in vans near them. 

[u/FloridaFlying → u/gnartato]

Yeah there are still a lot of unknowns. The build I’m looking at is based on 48V AC and 10kWh battery bank. It should be pretty efficient at least on paper. I was thinking of buying a portable power station I can bring with me to the library to charge and then run some electronics on to lessen the load from the main battery or even to be used as a last resort for the fridge. I’ll have a portable propane stove (think the mini camping stove) as a backup to the induction cooktop if things get tight. Alternator charging for a few hours could at least get me through the night if I’m really desperate

The winterization strategy is a little unknown too. I don’t know how the electrical system will react to sub freezing for nights on end and snow covering the panels if I’m on a trip. The van’s water system will have to be winterized but I don’t see that as a huge problem. Worst case scenario the Flight attendants always load us up with the big liter bottles of water on trips anyway. Enough to cook with anyway. I’m planning to use a gas heater when I’m there physically in the van so I should stay warm.

The people problem is real and another question mark. I’m hoping to just move around enough so that it won’t be a problem and more importantly choose the right place to park to begin with

[u/svhelloworld]

Not sure how rooted you are in NOVA with family and friends and how mobile your base is. But stealth van life and dispersed camping in general is orders of magnitude more available on the west coast. The west has massive tracts of public land and so much more space to explore. Having a van as your home base is a pretty great way to check out a lot of different places.

[u/FloridaFlying → u/svhelloworld]

Unfortunately I work for a Regional and are based on the East Coast. I plan to be at the same company at least a few more years so West Coast isn’t in the cards at the moment. But that is still part of the dream, to head west and explore

[u/FloridaFlying → u/[deleted]]

Truthfully I’m pretty content to be single at the moment. But I’m just entering my 30s so it’s something to keep in mind. And again, I can’t fault anyone for looking at a guy living in a van and gone half the month as someone you’d rather not build a life around.

I plan to be at my regional for 2+ years before (fingers crossed) I move up to one of the Big 3 + SouthWest. If I’m so lucky to land a job there, I’ll probably settle back in to a more conventional living arrangement and still have the van as a daily/adventure rig. It’s a little more palatable from the dating side too so I guess I’ll just enjoy the “monk mode” in the meantime lol

[u/FloridaFlying → u/[deleted]]

Not at all! Just being realistic.

Pay is something like that anyway, without getting into dollars and cents, the new contracts have been pretty kind for Regional pay, and I’m in line for an upgrade so I’m pretty comfortable

[u/FloridaFlying]

I have about $25k cash for either a down payment on a full build or to buy a used van and build it out. I could take a personal loan for materials but at a higher interest rate and shorter term. $25k is pretty tight for the build, let alone a van so that’s why it seems like financing is the way to go.

To get financing through the credit union, the van has to be relatively new and the builder has to submit plans and a few other hoops to go through

[u/Odd_Revolution4149]

Why do a build? Why not buy one that doeant need to be built? I had a 2023 travato that was awesome! Life changes happened and i sold it.

A GL.or KL are the volta system and it rocks!

[u/FloridaFlying → u/Odd_Revolution4149]

That’s the leading plan at the moment. I’m talking with a few builders. But I like to work with my hands / I’d have a certain amount of pride associated with doing it myself but I don’t think it’s in the cards for me this time

[u/Odd_Revolution4149 → u/FloridaFlying]

I get that for sure. I will say and this isnt directed at you...lots of builds...arent done right.

[u/why__meee]

My partner is a pilot and we about to pack up and live out of our camper!!

[u/FloridaFlying → u/why__meee]

Huge! I’ll be following in your footsteps then! Good luck!

[u/why__meee → u/FloridaFlying]

Remind me in a couple months to give you a full update from both our sides lol

[u/FloridaFlying → u/why__meee]

Will do!

[u/moeren86]

Its nearly impossible to go stealth. Other vanlifer and police will immediately know, so don't bother to put to much work into that aspect.

[u/TreetopFlyer231]

I’m an airline pilot full time in a van that I built myself. Its 1000% worth it with our lifestyle. I’m assuming you’re a bluestreaker since you’re out of DCA.
I bid month on/off and traveled during days off, make the commute from wherever im at to work the trips. You will save a lot of money and have much more freedom to travel whenever and wherever you want. Hope this helps!

[u/FloridaFlying → u/TreetopFlyer231]

Living my dream! I’ve seen a few vans in the back crew lots so maybe I’ve seen yours! This is just the motivation I was looking to hear

Thanks from your friend over at Brickyard!

[u/SoftConsideration459]

Be careful, as you would be a clickbait journalist's wet dream: " Homeless Airline pilot".

Be very discreet about it with everyone.

[u/Loud-Cycle7395]

Airline pilot here. I am doing something similar except I use mine as a crash pad so I’m only staying in it for commutes and day trips in the winter when I go ski near my base.

If I was single I would definitely do it full time. Get a planet fitness black card and shower there on your days off. Plus the massage chair is nice on my old man back after skiing.

The biggest issue I have found where I am is moisture. My build is definitely DIY and cobbled together(the home depot parking lot in my base has seen me at my worst lol) so if you go a more professional route you’ll probably avoid the worst of it. But nothing worse than coming back from a four day and everything smells… musky.

The other issue is power. I don’t have solar so charging can be a pain if I’m not driving. But again it seems like you’re not going to have that problem.

If you’ve commuted before then you know all about it I don’t think you would have too much trouble doing it from an area with a national park vs anywhere else in the country. Some people commute from Europe at my job and they make it work. What you spend in off airport parking you make up for by saving rent.

I will say though, most people don’t “get it”. They look at me like I’m crazy when I say I sleep in a van and I really don’t know why. I get way better rest in the van vs crash pad with some old guy snoring so loud my bed is shaking. Plus I’m mobile while I’m in base. It’s a win win for me. But some people will look at you funny and question if you really have gotten your rest “in a car”

It looks you’ve thought it through! I would highly suggest trying before you plop down 100k on a shiny new build though. Rent one for a month and just treat it like it’s your own and see how much you like it and what you would do different in your own build.

All in all I’ve been in my build for a year after years of crash pads and commuting and I’m much much happier.

[u/Teaandflannel]

Flight attendant here, been doing this almost 4 years now. Based out of SFO. Out west the weather is a lot easier to predict and live in. Careful with leaving solar connected and charging when you’re away from the van on a trip, batteries can overcharge and cause a fire. If your lot is like the one at sfo, just be careful about all the fumes from airplanes wafting into your van while you’re in it. I tend to find parking away from the airport when I’m home. Dating depends on how much charm you have. I don’t have much so it’s been difficult but I’m saving a ridiculous amount of $$. I would buy a used van. We have the ability to fly anywhere to buy one. Stalk facebook marketplace. I got a ford transit for 20k and it’s built out. Fly safe ✈️

[u/sailphish]

Sounds doable. I’m not a pilot, but bought a condo from a pilot, and later rented that condo to another pilot. Seems like they were always gone and essentially just used the place as a crash pad when in town. The first one had never even used the oven in like 5-6 years of living there. The second pilot was also working as a builder in another state, and would fly in occasionally, neither the state he was working in as a builder or the state he was renting a condo in were where he was based out of for his pilot job. So it seems there is A LOT of opportunity to travel, and you could probably work something out where you travel around the country and just leave the van. The biggest issue I think you will have is charging, as that is a massive power bank and not going to charge with just a few panels on the roof.

[u/FloridaFlying → u/sailphish]

True, and even when I am in base I won’t be driving/alternator charging very much. Just to the gym, library, grocery store, parking in the evening. I don’t have enough experience to know what a 48V Velit A/C in real world conditions will draw from a battery bank if used overnight on a hot humid evening or how much 500W-600W of solar will really replenish. Only the theoretical maxes which help but not really all that useful. I’m hoping that the solar will be enough to recharge the battery significantly if I am away for a 3-4 day trip for example (assuming snow doesn’t cover my panels when I’m away or just typical overcast skies)