The Mauna Loa Family

Mauna Loa’s experienced flight instructors have graduated more than 200 pilots in the past three years. 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 professional helicopter pilot.

There’s a good reason our instructors know the airways of Hawaii so well: each went through our professional flight training. Wherever possible, we hire our graduates as instructors. This assures us the continuity of training and invaluable local wind and weather experience that will make your training effective and efficient.

Ben Fouts – President / Designated Examiner

CFI since 1998, Ben flew for Era Aviation in the Gulf of Mexico 2001 - 2003. He now flies part time for Paradise Helicopters flying tours and is working full time as Owner of Mauna Loa Helicopters.

Cara Hollenbeck - Manager

Cara grew up in Northern California working in her family’s business, Blue Ox Millworks, Historic Park and School of the Traditional Arts.In 2005 she moved to Hawaii, and soon found her second home at Mauna Loa Helicopters. Since then she has led the company in attaining national accreditation and Title IV status making the school the first of its kind to be able to offer federal financial aid.

Noah Haydn-Myer  -  Assistant Chief / Designated Examiner

Noah found his passion for helicopters while working in the ER as an EMT. He moved to Hawaii to pursue his dream at MLH. After graduating our Professional Pilot Program he quickly rose to become the Assistant Chief Pilot for MLH. He also works with Evergreen Helicopters flying a Bell 412 on an EMS/SAR contract. Companywide, staff and students rely on Noah as a leader and role model.

Aaron Hanson - Assistant Chief

Aaron has always been a fan of the Great Outdoors. On one of his frequent outings he witnessed a helicopter rescue of an injured hiker. From that moment on, he wanted to be a pilot. Aaron chose Mauna Loa because he'd be able to fly nearly every day, and the geography in Hawaii presented a challenge.

Cheri Van-Taylor - Manager - Main Branch

Cheri is a Godsend to all of our students at MLH. She provides the assistance and attention that enable our students to thrive. Cheri was born and raised in California, but moved to Hawaii as a teenager with her famly. Cheri has two beautiful daughters as well as the entire MLH family. She enjoys taking care of us all.

Jennifer N. Goo - Manager - Kauai satellite

Somewhere between having an English Literature Degree and speaking fluent Mandarin Chinese, aviation found Jennifer. She brings over 10 years of working in business management to MLH. As the Manager of the Kauai Satellite Base, Jennifer enjoys the unique combination of working with students and instructors on the training side, and also sharing the beauty of the island with air tour customers.

Adam Finn

Adam became involved with radio control aircraft when he was still in junior high school. He surprised his parents when he announced at his high school graduation dinner that he intended to, “Move to Hawaii and become a helicopter flight instructor.” What does he like best?  “Every student is a puzzle and no two days are the same.”

Caleb Kupersmith

As a child, Caleb always wanted to fly.  Caleb did very well in school, and as Valedictorian of his class had the opportunity to go most anywhere for college. His decision was hands down flight school.  Caleb worked at the local mill earning money for training, and when he had his financing secure, he made the best move of his life.

Clayton first became interested in Helicopters as a child when he saw the tour helicopters flying over Kauai. He remembers thinking that this must be the greatest job of the world! It wasn't until years later when he stumbled across a Helicopter Flight School Ad that he knew he could make that dream a reality.

Coleman Smith

Coleman got his first ride in a Cessna when he was 16 years old. At 17, he was working ski lift construction, riding in the back of a Huey that set the towers. And for the next six years, Coleman was a fire fighter, often rapelling from helicopters while on the job. He combed the Internet looking for a good flight school and Mauna Loa measured up.

Corbin's first experience with helicopters was in 2003, when he took an introduction flight with Mauna Loa Helicopters on the Big Island. He was hooked. After living in the rocky mountains for a few years, he moved to the Islands to live out his dream of becoming a pilot. He is now instructing others who have the passion for flight.

Helicopter Flight has always fascinated Cody and when his family booked a discovery flight for his birthday, he was hooked. Cody began his training in Montana, but Mauna Loa‘s reputation for superior training and the beauty of these Islands brought him to Hawaii. It was the best decision in his life!

When Danny was 3 he was able to climb into a helicopter on the roof of a hospital, and has loved helicopters ever since. It wasn’t until he had a coach in college who flew EMS that he realized becoming a helicopter pilot was a dream he could reach. After a couple of years behind a desk and saving some money he decided to fulfill his dream in Hawaii.

Evan Osias

Evan was drawn to Hawaii to be with family living down South. It was living close to the volcano, watching the tour helicopters fly over every day when he thought he could see himself being in the pilot's seat! He finds his job as a CFI challenging, and each day is new and different.

Ian Morrison

Since Ian was ten he has wanted to fly the Coast Guard’s Dauphine helicopter. He became an amphibious assault vehicle crew chief with the marines and spent time in Iraq and Afghanistan.  But the dream of flying persisted and so after his release he enrolled at Mauna Loa Helicopters in Kona, earned his ratings and now instructs for us.

Jared Sharp

Jared's work on fire crews during the summer led him to be inspired by the helicopters that would regularly assist the fire fighting effort.  After college, Jared became a physical therapy aide but the image of helicopters and Bambi buckets stayed with him. Odd fact: Jared's great uncle was pilot of the Hindenberg and miraculously survived the 1937 crash.

Kevin Maitland

Kevin had his engineering degree from the University of Colorado when it dawned on him that the cubicle life wasn’t for him. “Everyone here is good people,” says Kevin, “they made me comfortable from the start and I truly appreciate the variety of flying we do here, from open ocean to high mountains.”

Kim Barwick

Kim traveled the world as an English teacher, visiting over 35 countries. Kim's first helicopter flight was in Switzerland for a skydive jump. From the moment the helicopter took off, climbing through the steep valleys of the Swiss alps, she was hooked. She flew at various schools and eventually chose MLH because of its reputation. Kim loves the location and quality of life she enjoys in Hawaii.

While working as a snow-cat operator for a heli-skiing operation in Alaska, Pete found his true calling. After some research and an intro flight at MLH, Pete’s next move was an easy one. “Mauna Loa’s reputation and professionalism sealed the deal.” Pete hopes to one day return to Alaska to work as a heli-skiing pilot.

Zak Greenwood

Zak Greenwood grew up in Samon, Idaho. After high school, he worked as a Fishing guide in Alaska during the summers where he became accustomed to flying in float planes and the R44. It was during this job he decided he knew being a pilot was for him.