Helicopter Training in Oahu, Hawaii

Mauna Loa Helicopters is an FAA Part 141 flight school on Oahu. Mauna Loa also conducts tour operations on the island of Kauai. Hawaii offers convenient flight practice areas, uncongested airspace, favorable weather conditions, and best of all, one of the most dynamic helicopter training environments in the world.

From mountains up to 13,796 feet (4,200 meters), to constantly changing weather conditions, an active volcano, ridge, and valley flying and a place to learn busy airspace (Honolulu International is the nation’s 11th busiest airport), you’ll find that Hawaii offers you an exceptional place for your helicopter training experience. Plus, your stay here will create memories that will last a lifetime.

Mauna Loa Helicopters offers helicopter training for every pilot rating you’ll need to pursue a successful career in aviation. Although you can pick whichever course or courses you wish, we recommend that you consider enrolling in our Professional Pilot Program.

The Professional program is a comprehensive curriculum specifically designed to help you earn five ratings and certificates (PVT, COM, IFR, CFI, and CFII) to get your future off to a flying start

The Hawaii Advantage

Our helicopter school in Honolulu is located at Honolulu International Airport, the 11th busiest airport in the nation. With four runways and enough traffic to keep you on your toes, this Class B airspace will ensure that you build the skills and confidence you’ll need to fly anywhere in the world.

But there is much, much more to Oahu than excellent flying. Oahu boasts the best of aspects of city life; a vibrant, cosmopolitan population, the excitement of a first-class tourist destination in Waikiki, a myriad of job opportunities great nightlife, and some of the world’s best surfing on the fabled North Shore.

Mauna Loa operates 15 aircraft, has a low student-to-instructor ratio, and experiences more flyable days per year than nearly any other location in the United States. Hawaii’s varied terrain and airspace translate into a more complete flight school environment.

Our instructors are seasoned professionals who attend annual recurrent training and take pride in assuring that each student receives the individual attention needed to become a successful graduate.

We are proud to hire our own graduates as instructors. Our top instructors are promoted to tour pilots and assistant chief pilots. This assures you the continuity of training and invaluable knowledge of local wind and weather that add up to a superior training experience.

A Perfect Setting to Excel

Here, we fly year-round. There’s no extreme heat, no oppressive humidity, no fog, and no bitter winter cold. Hawaii offers an amazing climate: our average daytime temperatures are in the low eighties (30 degrees C) in the summer and the mid-seventies in the winter. The weather here is just about perfect.

Mauna Loa Helicopters is one of the few helicopter training schools that can offer Instrument, Instrument Instructor and Airline Transport Pilot Courses as well as External load training. We have all the amenities of the largest pilot training schools and yet maintain a personal level of instruction that makes smaller schools so special.

Perhaps our greatest asset is our experienced instructor corps. These people are seasoned professionals, having themselves graduated from our comprehensive training program. They receive annual recurrence training and are continuously available to give students the individual attention needed to become a professional helicopter pilot.

A Sterling Reputation

The school actively assists career-minded students in finding that all-important first job. We have been fortunate in that the school’s reputation has been built over the years by virtue of the competence and professionalism of our graduate instructors. The helicopter industry is relatively small and employers have taken note of our track record.

Mauna Loa Helicopters conducts its training programs on an individual basis, and as your schedule permits. We are open seven days a week and you may train as quickly or leisurely as you wish. Call us with any questions you may have. Enrolling in a flight training program is a big step and we’re happy to help you sort out what makes the most sense for you.

VA Approved Training (Post 9-11 Benefits)

Beginning fall 2014 Mauna Loa Helicopters and Trojan Aviation will offer a VA approved degree program in partnership with Troy University in Alabama. You will have the option of training at the Alabama location or the Hawaii location while using your Post 9-11 G.I. Bill benefits to earn a degree and become a pilot.  

F-1 and M-1 Visas for International Students

Mauna Loa Helicopters offers both the F-1 and M-1 visas for international students. The F-1 visa allows you to work in the United States upon completion of your training.

Federal Financial Aid

Mauna Loa Helicopters is the only helicopter school in the country independently approved for Federal Financial Aid (may be available for those who qualify). The Parent Plus loan is available to cover up to the entire cost of training plus living expenses for those who qualify.

Accreditation by ACCSC

Mauna Loa Helicopters Professional Private Pilot Program is accredited by the ACCSC. Being one of the few accredited flight schools in the country means that Mauna Loa Helicopters is held to a higher standard.

Because of this, you can feel confident in your choice to enroll in Mauna Loa Helicopters.

Private Certificate

This is the basic rating required of all pilots. A Private certificate will allow you to carry passengers and enjoy the privileges and freedom of flight. All other ratings in the program build from this primary rating.

Commercial Certificate

A Commercial rating is required for a pilot to be employed as a professional pilot. While this is not the only rating needed to become employable, it is generally the second step in flight training.

Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)

The CFI rating enables a pilot to teach other Private, Commercial, and CFI students in the helicopter and in a classroom. We encourage students enrolled in our Professional Pilot Program to work towards their CFI rating at the same time they are preparing for their Commercial rating. A pilot’s first job flying will likely be as an instructor, which is why we include this training in the Professional Pilot Program.

Instrument Rating (IFR)

The Instrument Rating enables a pilot to fly the aircraft referencing only the instrument panel, a desirable skill to possess in clouds or any situation where visibility is impaired. In today’s job market, most employers require this rating.

Certified Flight Instrument Instructor (CFI-I)

Instrument Instructor rating enables the pilot to teach Instrument and CFI-I students both in the helicopter and in a classroom. Although employers are not necessarily looking for CFI-I applicants, the rating adds depth to a pilot’s skills and is attractive to potential employers. Also, many schools, including Mauna Loa, require this rating in order to be employed as an instructor.

The above five ratings are included in our Professional Pilot Program, these courses are also available individually. Below are additional courses and specified training that can be added to the PPP or done individually.

Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)

The ATP rating is the Eagle Scout Badge of the aviation world. The candidate must meet certain requirements including 1,200 hours Total Time and possess both Instrument and Commercial ratings.

External Load Training

External Load or sling line training teaches the pilot to lift and move an external load by employing a sling line attached to the helicopter. Typically this skill will help pilots when looking for work with utility operations, such as logging, emergency evacuation, and moving objects into or out of remote locations.