Have you ever dreamed of seeing Maui from the air? Have you ever dreamed of flying a plane yourself? Now, you can pilot a plane on Maui! Get a private aircraft lesson and fly from Maui to Molokai and back. We will explain how to easily make this an unforgettable part of your Hawaiian vacation.
The operator of this experience is Maui Flight Academy. As a regular visitor, I personally take their private lesson and the flight I describe here. It should also be noted that, as always, I do not receive any compensation for my recommendations. I just want to share what I think is an amazing upscale on a budget opportunity!
In a nutshell . . .
Check the Maui Flight Academy website for days, hours, and flight options. After a briefing from our highly trained instructor, we take off from Kahului Airport. I am in the pilot’s seat, with my instructor as the co-pilot, and up to two additional passengers for the same price.
Another note: For a quick understanding of this journey, you can read this article in 5 minutes. But for a greater feeling of the experience, click on each of our 3 videos below.
No experience necessary
I have never flown a plane. I am a little nervous. But in the capable hands of Maui Flight Academy and their Cirrus SR22, I am given instructions first on the ground. I am able to understand the basic controls, and ready to take off, fly, and land as a co-pilot of our plane.
Our instructor (and co-pilot)
We are pleased to have Laurence Balter (CFII, ATP, Chief Flight Instructor) teach us. With more than 8,000 flight hours and 30 years of experience, he puts us at ease and provides us instant confidence. There is some across-the-desk instruction, then more about the instrumentation once we are onboard with him.
Our aircraft
The Cirrus SR22 is the most popular general aviation aircraft (yes, more than Cessna). Besides performance and style accolades, it is equipped with a unique Airframe Parachute System that literally lowers the entire plane to the ground once deployed. There is even a life raft, if that happens over water. Pretty cool, if you ask me.
The flight begins
My first impression is that it is loud. Not quite like a helicopter, but we all wear headphones to talk between us. Now it’s our turn to taxi down the same runway at Kahului Airport as the big international jets. Laurence explains how to “baby” the stick for smooth acceleration and rise in altitude. There is a lot to pay attention to, but I can focus on just a few instrument readings. I assume he will jump in if something unforeseen happens. What could go wrong?
Just a few minutes after takeoff I am starting to get comfortable. With one hand, I carefully reach for my camera, strapped to my neck. I start snapping photos. And why not? The scenery is breath-taking.
The Island of Molokai
We are soon viewing the world’s largest sea cliffs out my window. Molokai’s Kalaupapa Cliffs are more than 1,000 meters (3,300 ft.) tall right on the Pacific shore. There is no other view of them quite like being in this aircraft. Did I mention the dramatic waterfalls, tallest in Hawaii?
Before you know it, I am gently touching down on the island of Molokai. The former Leprosy colony is still Hawaii’s most isolated location. We come to a stop, and it is time to exhale and turn the duties over to my daughter, who has been studying the flight from the backseat. She will be the pilot for the flight back.
The return flight to Maui. What could go wrong?
It seems my daughter is quickly comfortable with the controls, and executes a perfect takeoff over the ocean. We gain altitude and are on our way to Maui. A few minutes from landing we hear a voice from the control tower. There is a problem. A Hawaiian Airlines jumbo jet, due to land shortly, is experiencing some kind of emergency. No other aircraft are allowed to land until they do. Well, I guess that’s one thing that could go wrong.
Laurence calmly directs us to turn around and circle back away from Kahului, awaiting further instruction. I believe my first thoughts are not so unusual. How long must we circle? What if we run out of fuel? Will I have to pay extra? Do I have life insurance?
Actually, Laurence, as usual, puts us at ease. He explains that even if the delay is a long one, we will just fly to Lanai, have lunch there, and fly back later. That’s cool. There are several communications with the control tower in control-towerish language. By now I have learned the call letters of our aircraft, waiting for more details. Finally, after an eternity (ok, 20 minutes), we are given clearance to approach the Maui airport and land.
With emergency vehicles still present on the runway, my daughter safely touches down, and we taxi back to the Maui Flight Academy hangar. What an amazing, unique, upscale on a budget experience this has been. We have lived one of our dreams. It makes a wonderful addition to the 10 unusual things to do in Maui.
Do you have any questions? Have you tried this? Feel free to comment at the bottom of this post.
What’s upscale?
What could be better than piloting your own private aircraft on Maui and Molokai. Few vacationers experience this opportunity from Maui Flight Academy.
What’s budget?
More bang for the buck than any helicopter tour, and the plane is yours, with 3 passengers flying for the same price.
This was truly the best and most memorable experience that we have ever had. Both my husband and 18 year old son flew each leg from Maui to the big island. On the big island we flew close enough to get a great view of an active volcano that was flowing. We had a really nice lunch with the owner of the Academy as well.
When we returned to Maui my son touched down next to a landing Alaska air full size plane. It was really fantastic. It’s a splurge, but you will never regret it!
Thanks for the comment, Lisa. Family journeys are all about making memories, and it sounds like you have an unforgettable one.