Header photo: redlegsfan21 from Vandalia, OH, United States / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped)
Learning to fly in Hawaii means ocean crossings, mountain flying and some of the busiest airspace in the United States, all in one place. Most schools on Oahu are based at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, where students learn to work inside Class B airspace. Pacific Flight Academy focuses on training future airline pilots, George’s Aviation offers Part 141 training through Galvin Flight Services Hawaii, Lani Lea Flight School offers training and aircraft rental, and Mauna Loa Aero runs fixed-wing training under Part 61.
Hawaii at a glance
- Main airports: Honolulu (HNL), Kalaeloa (JRF), Dillingham (HDH), Kahului (OGG)
- What you can learn: Discovery flights, private pilot, instrument and commercial training, gyroplanes
- Schools listed: 9 on AviatorFinds
- Training highlight: Class B airspace at Honolulu and over-water flying between islands
Jump to: Flight schools Choosing a school Events FAQs
On the west side of Oahu, Barbers Point Flight School trains at Kalaeloa Airport near Kapolei, and on the North Shore Skyland Air offers introductory gyroplane lessons from Dillingham Airfield.
On Maui, Kahului Airport is home to Maui Flight Academy, which teaches in a Cirrus SR22, and Maui Aviators, a flight school and aircraft rental business. Fly Maui Flight School also offers discovery flights on the island for anyone thinking about becoming a pilot.
Flight schools in Hawaii
These are the flight schools and clubs in Hawaii listed on AviatorFinds, in alphabetical order. Tap a card to see contact details, location and what each one teaches.
See all US flight schools All flight schools & clubs
Choosing a flight school in Hawaii
- Ask about inter-island flying. Flying between islands means long stretches over water, so ask how each school trains for it and what safety kit it carries.
- Visit before you book. Look at the aircraft, meet the instructors and ask how many students they are training at the moment.
- Ask what the price includes. Aircraft hire, instructor time, landing fees, ground school and exam fees are often charged separately.
- Start with a trial lesson. It is the easiest way to find out whether a school and an instructor suit you.
New to flying? Start with how to become a private pilot: lessons learned and beginner tips, FAA MOSAIC rule explained: what sport pilots can fly now and learning to fly in a Cessna 172.
Run a flight school in Hawaii that isn’t listed yet? You can add your listing here.
Aviation events in and near Hawaii
There are no upcoming aviation events near Hawaii in our calendar at the moment. New events are added all the time, so take a look at the full aviation events calendar.
Learning to fly: guides from our blog
Frequently asked questions
Where can I learn to fly in Hawaii?
On Oahu, most schools are at Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, with others at Kalaeloa and Dillingham. On Maui, schools fly from Kahului Airport.
Can visitors take a flying lesson in Hawaii?
Yes. Several schools offer discovery or introductory flights, including Fly Maui, Maui Flight Academy and Skyland Air. Remember that a lesson is not the same as an air tour, and the schools make that clear.
What licence do I need to fly in the US?
Most people train for an FAA Private Pilot certificate. The new sport pilot rules under MOSAIC widen what sport pilots can fly. The FAA explains how to become a pilot and get a student pilot certificate.
Official sources
More flight school area guides
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- Flight Schools in Devon: Exeter Airport, Dunkeswell and gliding at North Hill.
- Flight Schools in Dorset: Bournemouth Airport and the hilltop grass airfield at Compton Abbas.
- Flight Schools in Hampshire: Popham, Blackbushe and Farnborough, from microlights to commercial courses.
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- Flight Schools in Scotland: Perth, Glasgow, Prestwick, Fife, Inverness and Aberdeen.
- Flight Schools in Arizona: Chandler, Falcon Field in Mesa and Stellar Airpark.
See every area on our Area Guides and Flight Schools by Area pages, or browse all flight schools, clubs and associations in the directory.