The weekend is coming up, and you are looking for a destination for that $100 hamburger, or perhaps you are planning a cross-country flight and want to stop for food along the way. If you are like me, you might rely on previous trips, ask friends, or call FBOs along the way for suggestions. Sometimes I’ll even arrange for one of the food delivery services to drop off sustenance for my flying companions and me.
In many cases, we are looking for restaurants at the airport or perhaps close by. Some flying apps will list the name of such establishments; however, wouldn’t it be nice to have a way to obtain more details on operating hours (and days) and perhaps even a menu?
Now there is an easier solution: the Fly-n-Eat app. Fly-n-Eat seeks to ease the integration of food stops into pilots’ travel plans, offering a sophisticated solution to the age-old “$100 hamburger” dilemma that has captivated recreational aviators for decades. It has been years since I’ve been able to make a flight for $100; however, the name has stuck for such adventures!
If you fly in Southern California, all pilots are aware of the Way Point Cafe at Camarillo (KCMA). However, my ForeFlight shows it is one mile away, while the Fly-N-Eat app shows where it is located, right on the airport, including photos! You may not be aware of the small cafe at Kern Valley Airport (L05), or if you are flying in the Midwest, that you can find delicious pizza at Napoli’s at the Garden City (KGCK) airport. Garden City is a great place for a fuel stop and was one of the locations where I taught for John and Martha King in the ‘80s. I definitely could have used this app back then, flying every weekend to a different airport.
Recently, my son Tigre and I were talking about the numerous trips we took as a family across the US. One of his comments was that we would stop at airports for fuel, and all there was to eat were snacks! This app can expand your gastronomical options and keep everyone happy on those long flights.
Developed by Solon, Ohio residents Vikki and Dr. Rick Rzepka, the app addresses this universal challenge: finding quality restaurants near airports. Rick, who is a private pilot, and his wife Vikki have worked for some time to develop this application while fulfilling their quest for the best places to stop and eat on their cross-country flights in their Bonanza.
Fly-n-Eat connects you with restaurants either onsite or within a very short distance of general aviation airports across the continental United States, making it easier than ever to combine the joy of flying with culinary exploration.
The app offers two primary methods of finding a restaurant: Out-and-Back and Point-to-Point. The former selection is perfect for those times you would like to fly a specific distance and find restaurants within that radius. So, if you want to fly one to two hours, just pick that distance, then enter the values in the app, and you will be rewarded with options! For cross-country trips, the latter option works well, allowing you to find restaurants directly along your route. One key feature of the point-to-point option I have found very useful is that you can also enter an offset distance from your direct route. This is great for determining the benefits of a slight detour along your cross-country flight to stop for food.
The app’s database is always current since it connects to Fly-N-Eat’s updated information in real-time. One drawback of this capability is that you will need access to the Internet to use the app; hence, you want to confirm your choices before you leave the ground.
The Rzepkas have also come up with an additional feature as they were developing their aviation dining application. They have also included a CFI/CFII database of participating flight instructors, so perhaps when you are planning your cross-country trips, you can also take advantage of additional instruction at your destination. I can envision flying on a vacation and perhaps locating an instructor who could accommodate a BFR or IPC in a different flying environment while on our trip. Perhaps you are flying to San Francisco and would enjoy doing the Bay Tour with your family, but are unaware of the local procedures. The options are varied and unlimited
Since its launch in March 2025, the app has gained significant traction within the aviation community. It represents more than just a dining guide—it’s a tool that enhances the social and recreational aspects of flying, encouraging pilots to explore new destinations while supporting local airport businesses and restaurants that depend on aviation traffic for their success.
