Spruce Creek Fly-In Community: A Pilot’s Paradise

During World War II, Florida’s Spruce Creek Fly-In Community functioned as a military base. However, it has transformed into a private gated community just a few miles south of Daytona Beach. In this neighborhood, airplanes serve as a common mode of transport, with many homes boasting private hangars. iBestTravel explores this remarkable community—known as the world’s largest residential airpark—where aviation reigns supreme, and even weddings can occur in the sky.

Welcome to the Land of Planes

Nearly half of the residents in Spruce Creek are pilots, with around 650 aircraft visible throughout the neighborhood.

Aircraft can be found in hangars or parked outside, ranging from private jets to vintage planes dating back to the 1940s.

How the World’s Biggest Residential Airpark Started

Carlos Bravo, a longtime resident and owner of Kaurlhaus Realty, shares that at the onset of WWII, the U.S. Army and Navy designated locations in Florida for military training bases.

The Navy established Spruce Creek and constructed an airport in late 1943, which was used as a training facility but deemed unnecessary at the war’s end.

In 1957, the property was sold to the city of Daytona Beach, remaining largely underutilized until Navy Ensign McKinley Conway charted a new course for its potential.

The Vision of a Fly-In Community

Conway envisioned a community where residents could taxi their planes directly from their homes. The City of Daytona Beach approved his concept in July 1970, allowing him to acquire the property with the help of a group of investors.

In the late 1970s, investor Jay Thompson took ownership of the Spruce Creek Airport and prioritized transforming it into a luxurious country club setting, complete with a clubhouse, tennis courts, a restaurant, and an 18-hole golf course.

A Private Community with Its Own Airport

Among the remaining structures is one of the original military runways, now interspersed with transformed taxiways. Bravo notes that recreating such a runway today would be cost-prohibitive.

“Truly Luxurious” Living

According to Bravo, there is no other fly-in community that rivals Spruce Creek in terms of size and luxury. He has been a pilot since he was 16 and spent considerable time searching for the perfect community for utilizing his plane efficiently to travel frequently to Chicago.

“Arriving here felt like stepping into Disneyland for the first time,” Bravo shared. “It resembles a real neighborhood, in contrast to most fly-in communities, which typically consist of minimal grass strips and a mix of housing types from trailers to standard homes. Here, the experience is genuinely luxurious.”

A Favorite for Pilots and Celebrities

Although not every resident is a pilot, it’s common to see homes adorned with flight memorabilia and vintage aircraft parts within the hangars.

This community has also attracted the attention of various celebrities, including John Travolta, who once resided in Spruce Creek.

“It’s among the few remaining truly private cities globally,” Bravo noted.

Resident Life

Given its proximity to the Bahamas, Spruce Creek serves as a favored holiday destination. Bravo mentions that roughly half of the homes operate as vacation homes.

Residents such as Fred Silverio have enjoyed quick getaways, grabbing lunch at tropical spots within hours.

“Visitors from all corners of the globe pass through Spruce Creek; it’s unlike anywhere else in the world,” reflected Silverio.

“You can gauge the weather simply by listening for aircraft; the sounds of planes indicate a great day ahead,” he added.

Hangar Homes

Spruce Creek is home to approximately 1,300 residences and 700 hangars, all providing direct access to the taxiways.

Some homes also feature observation towers, allowing residents to watch planes take off and land.

Every Amenity for Pilots

The community also features aircraft repair and fueling stations. Moreover, there is a designated commercial area for hangar rentals, should residents need additional space.

A Pilot’s Paradise

Seasonal celebrations blend seamlessly with the community’s aviation theme: Santa arrives every year by plane (with Rudolph trailing behind). The Christmas parade features planes alongside antique cars, boats, motorcycles, and even farm tractors.

“They call this a cradle-to-grave community,” Bravo concluded. “Because once you move here, there’s always a place for you.”