The Flying Machine, a mom-and-pop diner overlooking the runway at Gwinnett County’s Briscoe Field, has been told its time on the tarmac is almost up. After more than two decades as a go-to spot for pilots, families and plane-watchers, the longtime hangout has been ordered to vacate its current location by October 1, 2026, leaving owners scrambling for a new home in a tight commercial market.
Regulars say losing their perch by the runway would mean more than just finding a new place for pancakes. For many in the airport community, the Flying Machine has become a neighborhood institution they are not eager to see taxi off into the sunset.
Lease shakeup at Briscoe Field
According to FOX 5 Atlanta, the trouble started when the restaurant’s landlord was outbid in a Gwinnett County lease process. The winning proposal calls for repurposing the indoor dining space, which set the October 1 deadline for the Flying Machine to clear out. FOX 5 reported that the switch stems from a competitive county leasing effort and that the incoming tenant plans to use the building for its own operations.
Public procurement records from Gwinnett County show multiple requests for proposals tied to sites at Briscoe Field last year, with deadlines in late September and early October and notes spelling out that new leases would not begin before Jan. 1, 2026. The formal RP023-25 RFP for a 2.046-acre site on the field outlines the county’s leasing timeline and requirements, offering a look at how control of on-field buildings can change hands. Gwinnett County details the process.
Owners and locals push back, gently
Owners Hokey Sloan and Joy Hoge, who opened the Flying Machine in 1998, told FOX 5 Atlanta they received notice of the lease change and are now racing to secure a new spot. “Bottom line is we’re going to have to move,” Sloan said.
Regular customer Gary Barteaux did not mince words when speaking to the station, calling the restaurant “kind of an institution around here,” a reminder of how deeply the diner is woven into the daily life of the small airport and its surrounding community.
What the fine print actually says
The Flying Machine is listed among airport businesses on Gwinnett County’s Briscoe Field information pages, highlighting how an on-field restaurant can serve both aviators and the general public. Gwinnett County notes in its aviation FAQ that the field supports public-facing businesses, but it also makes clear that when a lease is reassigned, the facilities involved can be repurposed under the new agreement.
Runway views that locals do not want to lose
For years, the Flying Machine has been a favorite destination for pilots and locals who come for the food and stay for the up-close runway views. Travel and review sites have long reflected its appeal at Briscoe Field, identifying the diner as a fixture near Lawrenceville and pointing to its patio and plane-watching as signature draws. Patrons warn that losing the spot would be a blow to the small airport community. TripAdvisor lists the restaurant among Briscoe Field amenities.
For now, Sloan and Hoge say they are chasing a few leads but are worried that higher commercial rents nearby could make a move financially out of reach. The Flying Machine’s future depends on whether they can land a workable lease before the October deadline and whether any local partners step up to help keep the longtime hangar-side hangout aloft.
