Updated November 11, 2023
Revisiting the newly rebranded Fly In Cafe
My friend Pegi, her daughter Olivia and I decided to visit the Fly In Cafe at Spruce Creek. All of the flight rules in the previous article (see below) still apply. We flew up in N734MG, a popular trainer on the Southwest ramp at KORL. It both is and isn’t a Van Anda plane. Never mind, ask me about it in person.
Our server Shawnte says the ownership is the same but the management has changed direction. It certainly seems less “country.” She said they are focusing more on dinner but will always remain open for breakfast and lunch.
Still A Short and Easy Flight
Very easy to get to from KORL, although it is highly recommended that you get flight following and at least request a class B clearance. They may not let you in but they will be happy to vector you around all the traffic.
It’s still one of the premier fly in communities in Central FL and there are a lot of them!
Pegi in her splendor. She recently got married to my good friend Rod. They owe me dinner!
Lunch was very reasonable. The food is still quite good.
The three of us had a great time and enjoyed the meal very much.
They look happy!
Wrapping up with a post flight at Sheltair in Orlando
September 7, 2022
Spruce Creek is a famous fly-in community which has recently relaxed it’s “private fly in” restrictions, as long as you are visiting the Downwind Cafe restaurant. It was made famous by some of its more notorious celebrity tenants such as John Travolta, Ron Rice and even briefly Tom Cruz.
I went to the Spruce Creek website and thankfully called Jim in Security who seemed very grateful for the call. He was quite helpful about how to approach the airport, where to land, where to park, etc. Very nice people.
Spruce Creek is a Private Community. Please get permission before flying in. It’s not hard to do. Their website gives you instructions on flying in, taxiing and parking.
Accompanied by my new student Jennifer, we made our way up there in a Van Anda C-172R. Her first flight and really enjoyed the small plane, flew a little bit and even whooped with delight at a little Zero G demonstration.
The Flight
We had to wait for two departures and several arrivals at KORL before being given a right x-wind departure towards 7FL6. KORL is really starting to get busy.
It was a short, smooth flight and Daytona Approach was very helpful. It was not any where near as busy as I had been led to expect. The website talks about flying shows and such but we saw no other planes in the vicinity of the airport, although several were taxiing around the neighborhood.
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The flights were basically direct. Orlando and Daytona approach were quite easy to work with.
The Downwind Cafe
PIREP
The cost ended up being less than $300 as it is such a short flight from KORL
- Aircraft Rental: 1.1 Hobbs * $155 = $170.50
- Restaurant bill: Breakfast was about $40 w/$10 tip
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- Total: $220.50
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- Total flight time 1.6
We got there before 11 so breakfast was our option. It was excellent and quite large portions.
The pancake was as big as a golf cart wheel, hence the nickname the server told us “morning golf cart breakfast”.
We didn’t get to speak to a manager but everyone was very friendly, and the service was very quick.
Very nice place, very comfortable and lots of food!
Flying Home
Easy flight home from runway 24 – basically straight out. Contacted Daytona Approach at 800 feet and they handed us off to Orlando Approach who brought us in right over KSFB. Very scenic!
Back to $300 Burger