‘My soul can’t bear to look at it anymore’
A Boeing 737 cockpit used on commercial flights all over the world is now for sale in Christchurch.
Seller Luke Reich, 24, found the cockpit about two years ago outside Pacific Simulators, a flight simulation company in Sockburn.
He offered cash up front and the business agreed to sell the cockpit as long as he took it away with him that day. He hired a boat trailer, strapped the cockpit down on its side and away he went.
Reich wanted to create his own full replica flight simulator, but those dreams nosedived when he realised how much time and money would be required.
Reich said he was open to offers for the cockpit, but would accept $1000. The buyer would also have to bring a trailer to transport it, he said.
He had one interested buyer earlier this year but the deal fell through.
Since re-listing the cockpit on Facebook Marketplace, offers had been coming in thick and fast, Reich said.
He believed a flight simulator would be the ideal use for the cockpit, but thought it could also be used for a kids’ play area, storage or a range of other things.
‘‘My soul can’t bear to look at it anymore, the simulator was once a dream of mine but now I have to think about my family and we need the money,’’ Reich said.
‘‘This particular cockpit was used by United Airlines for a number of years, before it was moved to South America and used by EasyJet. If you wanted to use it for a simulator, I reckon it’d cost you around $10,000 all up to build.’’
Reich’s wife is pregnant so any proceeds from the sale will help the young family out.
A former prospective pilot, Reich always had an interest in aircrafts but could not afford to pursue his passion.