Ocala, Florida: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Ocala International Airport, also known as Ocala International Airport-Jim Taylor Field, is located in Ocala, Florida, in the United States. The airport serves the city of Ocala and Marion County, catering to commercial, industrial, and corporate aviation needs. Despite its name, Ocala International Airport does not offer commercial airline passenger services. It primarily functions as a general aviation airport, accommodating various aviation activities and providing several support services.

Ocala International Airport

The airport opened in the early 1960s, replacing the previous Taylor Field just southwest of Ocala. Initially, it had a 5000-foot runway served by Eastern Airlines, with a daily Convair 440 flight connecting Jacksonville, Gainesville, Ocala, Vero Beach, and Miami. Eastern Airlines later operated the Lockheed L-188 Electra turboprop service, with the last flight departing Ocala in 1972.

The airport covers 1,532 acres of land at an elevation of 90 feet. It features two asphalt runways: runway 18/36, which is 7,467 feet long and 150 feet wide, and runway 8/26, which is 3,009 feet long and 50 feet wide. In 2009, construction began on an air traffic control tower, which was certified and staffed in 2010. A new terminal building was completed in 2020, and the airport continues to enhance its infrastructure.

For the year ending October 31, 2022, the airport recorded 58,465 aircraft operations, averaging 160 per day. The majority of these operations were general aviation (95%), followed by air taxi (3%), military (1%), and a small percentage of commercial flights. As of 2022, 146 aircraft were based at the airport, including single-engine, multi-engine, jet, helicopter, and glider planes.

Ocala International Airport-Jim Taylor Field

The history of the airport dates back to the early 1960s when it replaced the previous Taylor Field just southwest of Ocala. Initially, the airport boasted a 5000-foot runway served by Eastern Airlines, offering daily Convair 440 flights connecting Jacksonville, Gainesville, Ocala, Vero Beach, and Miami. Over time, the airport expanded its services with various airlines, including Air Florida, USAir Express, and Skyway Commuter, providing jet and turboprop services to destinations like Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville.

In 1987, the airport underwent significant changes after the departure of the last airline flight operated by USAir Express. The facilities were enhanced with a 3,000-foot crosswind runway, an extended main runway, an instrument landing approach, and FAA Part 139 certification. These improvements positioned the airport to accommodate larger aviation activities. In 2004, a $1.3 million plan was initiated to upgrade the apron security system, further enhancing the airport's infrastructure.

Today, Ocala International Airport-Jim Taylor Field features two asphalt runways: runway 18/36, measuring 7,467 by 150 feet, and runway 8/26, measuring 3,009 by 50 feet. The airport is home to a variety of services, including flight schools, aircraft maintenance, aircraft charter, and rental car services. It also houses the Elevation 89 Restaurant, which is open daily for lunch and dinner.

The airport recorded 58,465 aircraft operations for the year ending October 31, 2022, averaging 160 operations per day. The majority of these operations were general aviation (95%), followed by air taxi (3%), military (1%), and a small percentage of commercial flights (<1%).

No commercial airline service

Ocala International Airport, also known as Ocala International Airport-Jim Taylor Field, is located five miles west of Ocala, in Marion County, Florida. Despite its name, the airport does not have commercial airline service.

The airport serves the commercial, industrial, and corporate needs of Ocala and Marion County. It is promoted as a premier general aviation airport, focusing on accommodating large aviation activities while maintaining high service levels for its tiedown and t-hangar clients. The airport aims to be financially viable through the marketing of vacant airport land for private and public sector investment, specifically targeting the development of corporate hangars and other compatible uses.

While Ocala International Airport does not cater to commercial airlines, it offers a range of services, including rental car pick-up and return from companies like Avis and Enterprise, several flight schools, aircraft maintenance, and aircraft charter. Sheltair Aviation provides award-winning services for aviators within their state-of-the-art terminal facility.

The airport has a rich history in aviation. It opened in the early 1960s, replacing the previous Taylor Field just southwest of Ocala. Initially, Eastern Airlines served the airport with a Convair 440 flight, followed by Lockheed L-188 Electra turboprop service until 1972. Later scheduled passenger airline services included Air Florida, USAir Express, and Skyway Commuter, with the last airline flight departing in 1987. Since then, Ocala International Airport has expanded its facilities, including a crosswind runway, an extended main runway, and a new terminal building completed in 2020.

In summary, while Ocala, Florida, is served by the Ocala International Airport, it does not provide commercial airline passenger services. The airport primarily caters to general aviation and supports the commercial, industrial, and corporate aviation needs of the region.

Elevation 89 Restaurant

Ocala International Airport in Ocala, Florida, is home to the Elevation 89 Restaurant, which opened its doors in October 2021. The name of the restaurant is a reference to the pilot call signal for the Ocala airfield, based on the airport's elevation of 89 feet above sea level.

The restaurant offers American cuisine and seats 150 people in a unique atmosphere overlooking the runway, with nightly views of spectacular sunsets. It is open daily from 11 am to 9 pm, serving lunch and dinner. The menu is created by executive chef Jeremy, who has free rein over the dishes served.

The restaurant is part of a group that includes County Line Smokehouse, The Anchor, and The Pizza Joint. The group wanted to expand its clientele and offer a unique dining experience to visitors and locals alike, with good food, drinks, and conversation, accompanied by views of planes taking off and landing.

Elevation 89 has received mixed reviews. While some patrons praise the food, drinks, service, and atmosphere, others have criticised the food and reported issues with service and long wait times. The restaurant has a three-star rating on Tripadvisor, with 21 reviews.

Airport facilities and aircraft

Ocala International Airport, also known as Ocala International Airport-Jim Taylor Field, is located five miles west of Ocala, in Marion County, Florida. The airport covers 1,532 acres of land at an elevation of 90 feet. It features two asphalt runways: runway 18/36, which is 7,467 feet long and 150 feet wide, and runway 8/26, which is 3,009 feet long and 50 feet wide.

The airport has a rich history, opening in the early 1960s as a replacement for the previous Taylor Field. Initially, it accommodated a 5000-foot runway served by Eastern Airlines, offering daily flights with a routing of Jacksonville-Gainesville-Ocala-Vero Beach-Miami. Over the years, the airport has seen various airlines operate, including Air Florida, USAir Express, and Skyway Commuter. The last airline flight departed Ocala in 1987, and since then, the airport has focused on expanding its infrastructure to accommodate larger aviation activities.

Ocala International Airport offers a range of facilities and services for aircraft and pilots. The airport is equipped with an air traffic control tower, certified and staffed as an FAA Level I contract control tower. A new terminal building was completed in the spring of 2020, providing modern amenities for travellers and crew. Additionally, the airport houses the Elevation 89 Restaurant, offering daily lunch and dinner services.

In terms of aircraft operations and capacity, the airport accommodates a significant number of flights. For the year ending October 31, 2022, the airport recorded 58,465 aircraft operations, averaging 160 per day. The majority of these operations were general aviation (95%), followed by air taxi (3%), military (1%), and a small percentage of commercial flights. The airport is well-equipped to handle a variety of aircraft, with 146 aircraft based there as of October 31, 2022. This includes a mix of single-engine and multi-engine airplanes, jets, helicopters, and even a glider.

Ocala International Airport also provides additional services such as rental car pick-up and return through companies like Avis, Enterprise, and Sheltair Aviation, which offers award-winning services for aviators. Several flight schools, aircraft maintenance facilities, and aircraft charter services are also available on-site, catering to the diverse needs of pilots and aviation enthusiasts.

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