May 6 is my brother’s birthday. I didn’t get to spend it with him in 2025 but I DID get to fly a King Air 200, for an all day sit in Boca Raton. There are two FBOs in Boca, Atlantic and Signature, neither of which are my favorite chains, but Atlantic is where our King Airs are based in ORL and SGJ, so we parked there.
It’s a fairly comfortable FBO, with some nice amenities, although I was surprised at how many vending machines there were. I soon found out why.
JSX: A Bad Sign for General Aviation
There is a new discount airline, JSX (also known as Jet Suites Express) which is operating out of the private side of airports, at the FBOs. I am strongly opposed to this. Aircraft owners pay ridiculously large amounts of money to be AWAY from the masses at passenger terminals, TSA, extra charges, etc.
Maybe I am being a little elitist but as someone who spends a lot of time in airports, on both sides, I appreciate getting away from the disorganized mess of passenger terminals and enjoying the FBO atmosphere. I like the solitude and peace of a pilot lounge, and a quiet room. I found many JSX passengers sitting around the pilot lounge. They’re nice people but there are just so many of them. I couldn’t find a seat at first. Finally, one of the FBO girls walked in and said “Hello passengers, this is the pilot lounge. We’d like to leave this to the pilots. Please follow me to the passenger lounge.” I had never heard that before inside the FBO. Once I understood, I realized why there was a cypher lock on the pilot lounge door.
Whoever thought this was a good idea, I say “BOOOO”.
The Flight
Today I was flying the King Air 200 for a private company out of St. Augustine. We left at 7:15 so the owners and associates could reach a 9am meeting in Boca. Fortunately there was light traffic so we were cleared DIRECT. I was not expecting that. We arrived early, so my passengers had a few minutes to wait around for their ride. It was good to talk business with them. That’s one of my favorite things about private aviation, is learning from people who know business, and know it well enough to afford a multi-million dollar airplane or two.
Before they left they reminded me that I had all day, as they had a dinner to attend as well. Expected arrival back at the FBO was 9pm. Well I had 12 hours to kill.
Lunch
First order of business once I got settled was Lunch. Of Course.
One of the FBO girls was very nice and offered me a ride to La Condesa, which she declared an “excellent Mexican restaurant.” She was not wrong!
La Condesa
At the southern end of the airport, along airport road, it’s a short walk from Signature but about a half mile from Atlantic. I walked back anyway but I don’t recommend it if you don’t like walking in hot South Florida sunshine.
They have an excellent section of Mexican food and are definitely full service. Here’s the menu
I started out with the most dangerous part of any Mexican restaurant, to my diet anyway, chips and salsa.
When my meal came, 2 chicken enchiladas with double rice, (arroz doblo), I had some interesting thoughts about the design …
It was delicious and I give it five stars.
PIREP: Not today!
I usually do a PIREP to describe the expenses, but since the boss told me to use his credit card, I had none. I have some great clients, I really do!
All I can say is that it was reasonably priced, probably low priced for South Florida. I plan to back some day!