It’s no secret that the two things pilots love to do most are flying and eating. But how do you connect those two passions when not every restaurant has a runway and not every runway has a restaurant?
Now there’s a way: The new app Fly-n-Eat.
Fly-n-Eat connects you with restaurants either onsite or within a very short distance of general aviation airports across the continental United States.
The app is designed to put a wealth of restaurant information at your fingertips before you leave the ground, according to Rick Rzepka, a Northeast Ohio-based dentist who loves to fly.
“In my 22 years of flying, I have always loved an adventure that included both flying and eating,” says Rzepka. “For years, I had been unable to find a comprehensive, real-time, up-to-date resource to connect those two favorite pursuits, so I decided to create one. Whether the plan is a quick there and back or a longer journey, Fly-n-Eat is designed to be a helpful travel companion when you’re plotting a course for a satisfying meal along the way.”
Features include:
- Your choice of trip planning options: Fly, eat, back to home base for short hops or point-to-point when traveling longer distances or cross-country
- Airport locations
- Restaurant names, addresses, and phone numbers
- Hours of operation and descriptions of décor, ambience, and other amenities
- Links to restaurant websites and menus.
Additionally, the app includes a database of CFIs and instructors for when it’s time to brush up on your training, Rzepka notes.
All of the features are available for $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year.
The app is available on the Apple App store and Google Play.
For more information: Fly-n-Eat.com
I wish them the best in their attempt. We have all seen numerous attempts to make this easy. From websites (such as http://www.fly2lunch.com ) , Google Map (such as “Pilot Food Spots”), social media threads (such as beechtalk – probably the worst way to do it). Even apps (such as Foreflight have tried to some degree).
Connecting to Google Maps is an excellent idea as it helps overcome the Number 1 problem with all of these. The data changes at a rapid rate. An Airport Cafe closes and 3 months later reopens as the Runway Cafe. Different food, different hours and days of operation. At least with Google the number of users posting updates make it more likely to be correct.
The Number 2 issue is some people can’t agree or figure out what is on-site and what is easy access with the loaner car (if it is there and it is working). Should be simple but inconsistent information make it more a pain to use.
Best of luck to them on their new app.
I clicked on the web link and it took me to a dental office website.
Me too, got a dental website. plus the app is a bit pricy for something you can ask Gemini AI to create for you
Ha. Well there is a possible connection. After you fly n eat, you may need some dental work.
Hi Marc, thanks for flagging that! There was a brief issue where our link redirected incorrectly, but it’s been fixed now. The correct page is live and ready to explore. We appreciate your patience – and hope you enjoy discovering great airport restaurants with the app!
Try again here – https://fly-n-eat.com/