MAUNA LOA
HELICOPTER
FLIGHT TRAINING

Frequently asked questions

Click on a Question Below:

1. How hard is it to learn to fly helicopters?
2. How much does it cost?
3. How hard is it to find a place to stay?
4. How about transportation to and from the flight school?
5. Do you hire your graduates?
6. How many hours do Mauna Loa Helicopters instructor pilots fly each month?
7. Do you offer mountain training?
8. What is the external load course?
9. How many hours does the average student train?
10. How many aircraft do you have and how many instructors?
11. Why should I train at Mauna Loa Helicopters?
12. How do I enroll?

How hard is it to learn to fly helicopters?

Learning to fly rotorcraft is much like any other technical/educational endeavor in that it requires your full attention and conscientious study. In Ground School, you’ll be learning new concepts and becoming familiar with meteorology, navigation, radio communications, regulations, physiological considerations and other subject areas. Your flying will require physical coordination, good visual acuity, and the ability to focus on the task at hand. As in any worthwhile pursuit, the challenge is equal to the reward.

How much does helicopter flight training cost?

Mauna Loa’s Professional Helicopter Flight Training Program, in which you’ll earn five ratings and log up to 200 hours, can average anywhere from $50,000-$65,000, depending on variables such as how often you fly the R44 versus the R22, how much time you spend in the simulator versus actual flight time, whether or not you seek sling-load training, etc.

How hard is it to find a place to stay?

Rentals in Hawaii tend to be more expensive than in rural America. Accommodation expenses are, however, comparable to those of most major cities. Housing is readily available on all the islands.

On Kauai, go to:
KauaiWorld.com

On the Big Island, see:
WestHawaiiToday.com

On Oahu, look for:
HonoluluAdvertiser.com
StarBulletin.com
Apartments.com
Rentalsillustrated.com

How about transportation to and from the flight training school?

Many students buy used cars or motorcycles while here. Often we have students that are selling a car, or know of somebody, so please don’t hesitate to ask us if we know of anything available. We recommend logging onto CraigsList.com for good deals on mopeds, motorcycles and cars. You will need wheels on the Big Island and Kauai; Oahu has an excellent city bus system with a stop one block from the school.

Do you hire your graduates?

While we don’t guarantee employment, from 2001 through 2004, we hired all of our CFI graduates. With three locations and a constant flow of new students, we frequently need Instructor Pilots that have gone through our program. The industry is growing, job opportunities are numerous and we will assist you in getting your first job flying.

How many hours do Mauna Loa Helicopters instructor pilots fly each month?

Our Instructors on average fly between 80 and 120 hours per month. This is purposeful, to keep them busy and making a living. Our Instructor’s on average earn around $25,000-$35,000 per year.

Do you offer mountain training?

Mountain flying techniques are important for all helicopter pilots, and that is why it is integrated into our commercial pilot course. We are quite fortunate to have the terrain that we do in Hawaii and do take advantage of the mountains that are nearby. There is no shortage of practice on pinnacles and confined areas when training in Hawaii.

What is the external load course?

The external load training course consists of learning how to fly with a line attached to the helicopter, teaching you to move loads using the helicopter as an aerial crane. This type of training will give you the skills necessary to become gainfully employed in areas such as firefighting, utility work, logging & other industries. Mauna Loa Helicopters is one of only a handful of schools that can offer external load training in an R-22.

How many hours does the average student train?

This is up to the student. We recommend students train at least four hours a day, five days a week. Students wishing to complete their training in less than a year will need to train more often. Ground school is conducted on a one on one basis. This makes your training more efficient as you will proceed at your own pace.

How many aircraft do you have and how many instructors?

Currently we have four R-22s and one R-44 IFR trainer in Kona; two VFR R-22s and one IFR R-22, plus one R-44 in Honolulu; and one R-22 & one R-44 in Lihue. We also have a Cessna 172 for fixed wing training. We have 13 instructor pilots on staff. These numbers are subject to change.

Why should I train at Mauna Loa Helicopters?

There are many great helicopter flight training schools out there. Our school measures up in the number of programs we offer, the quality of instruction, and the ability to get the check-rides and courses completed in a timely manner. The one compelling reason why Hawaii should be under serious consideration for the aspiring professional is the training environment. We have probably one of the most diverse environments in the world to fly in, making for a well-rounded education. The west or Leeward side of the Hawaiian islands receive very little rainfall while the east or Windward side gives you the exact opposite, making a quick transition between dry grasslands to tropical rainforest. Our bases of operations are on the dry side of each island and that allow you to train year round without delays. You also avoid suffocating heat, uncomfortable humidity and coastal fog that can inhibit your training. Many areas are sparsely populated & there is ample area for the practice of takeoff and landings.

How do I enroll?

We require that an applicant have at least a high school diploma or equivalent to enroll in our program. Our programs start year round although we recommend you give us at least a two week notice of your impending arrival. Click here to fill out the enrollment application: Application Form

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