Flying Private When Living in Boca Raton, Florida

It is estimated that over 100,000 Americans utilize private jets as a means of transportation. When these wealthy families relocate to Florida or purchase a vacation home in Florida, accessibility to private air travel is crucial in selecting which Florida city to call home.

Boca Raton Airport (KBCT) serves the needs of such residents in Boca'Raton, Delray Beach, and Highland Beach. It was initially built in 1936 as a community airport. It was later used during World War Two as an army training facility for the US Air Force, and it was transferred to the city of Boca Raton'in 1948 and has served the private air travel needs of Boca Raton residents ever since.

The airport initially had three intersecting runways, providing great flexibility in directing air traffic based on the direction of the wind. Two runways were eliminated when Florida granted 1,000 acres of airport land to build'Florida Atlantic University. Today, the only remaining runway is 5/23, a 6,276' X 150 'paved and lighted runway with an Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS) installed at both ends of the runway.

There are two full-service FBOs at BCT, Atlantic Aviation and Signature Flight Support. Both offer long-term hangar space for personal jets of all sizes. Living up to the Boca lifestyle, you can expect VIP service from these facilities, including ramp side vehicle access and valet parking,'catering, Jet A line service, crew rooms, and courtesy crew cars for your flight staff.

For smaller aircraft, there are also two options for self-managed hangar space. Boca Aircraft Owners offers T hangars for rent on the north end of'the field. There is also the Runway 5-23 Hangarminium, located mid-field, which offers condominium ownership of T hangars.

Cirrus parked at the T Hangars at BCT

The Boca Raton Airport has a US Customs and Immigration facility onsite. There is a fee for using the CBP facility, which you can pay at the kiosk upon arrival. Although US CBP hours of operation at KBCT are limited to the weekends and only during the day, you can request after-hours service for an additional fee.

Because the airport is located in the center of East Boca, an area surrounded by luxury residential real estate, the Airport Authority has implemented a voluntary curfew and noise abatement procedures. The curfew is in effect between 11:00 pm and 7:00 am. Because it is voluntary, aircraft can still take off and land during this time; however, the airport authority asks all pilots to inform them in advance of such activity when unable to respect the curfew. These policies create a quiet neighborhood atmosphere yet still allow you to come and go as needed.

Suppose you live in one of Boca's premier luxury waterfront communities, including Royal Palm Yacht Club, The Sanctuary, or any waterfront home in Boca Raton. In that case, you are never more than a 5-minute drive to your home airport. The central location combined with the plethora of services offered means that'last-minute travel plans are not a challenge. You can decide to have dinner in Chicago or New York, and within the hour, you can be airborne and on your way.

Approaching Boca Raton from the south along the shoreline over Royal Palm Yacht Club

Myself and my fiance Chenise getting ready to depart Boca in our Phenom 100.