Jumbolair Airport facts for kids

Entrance to Jumbolair

Jumbolair Airport (FAA LID: 17FL) is a private-use airport. It is located in the unincorporated community of Anthony, which is seven miles (11 km) northeast of Ocala, Florida, United States. Frank Merschman owns and operates Jumbolair. The airport has two runways: 18/36 with an asphalt pavement measuring 7,550 x 210 ft (2,301 x 64 m) and 9/27 with a grass surface measuring 3,640 x 100 ft (1,109 x 30 m). According to FAA documents, 9/27 ""Greystone"" grass airstrip was once so degraded that only the smallest aircraft could use it.

Jumbolair

Jumbolair Aviation Estates is an aviation-related gated community and airpark situated alongside the airport's runway.

Terri Jones (formerly Terri Brantner), a former Revlon model and flying enthusiast, manages the estates. A 380 acres (150 ha) horse ranch formerly built by Muriel Vanderbilt and purchased by Jones' first husband Arthur Jones (inventor of the Nautilus cam) in 1980 sits at the community's center. The 550 acres (220 ha) development contains two 3 acres (1.2 ha) lots connected by taxiways which lead to the runways.

John Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston were some of the first land purchasers. The runway length allows Travolta, a pilot, to operate his Boeing 707 jet. In January 2007, litigation prevented all property owners in the subdivision from accessing the runway with their aircraft. The access issue was resolved when Jumbolair purchased the adjacent land and remaining airport rights.