I've known about the balcony thing since Penthouses were released. Always thought it was one of THE coolest things that Tumerboy(Takofangs) designed for us back when he was a CO Dev. I mean - you're able to fly off your own balcony of your apartment straight to the city? Awesome!
Or swing, or superleap, or whatever.
(Though tunneling obviously isn't working here... >.>)
But yeah - as far as leaping goes? If all else fails, just spam the interact key while jumping and it'll tport you to the jet. Personally I leap across to a building across from the penthouse and it queues up there.