Private pilots? (Honolulu, Hilo, Volcano: real estate, rental, home)

[fluteguy61]

Hello Big Island forum!

Much thanks to everyone here for all the informative postings. My short time here has proved invaluable as my wife and I plan our eventual move to the island. Since most of our questions have already been addressed, I just have a couple things . . .

Can anybody tell me about being a private pilot on the island? Is there a club? Rental rates on a C172 or similar? Difficulty or particular weirdness about inter-island flying. Anyone looking to share their plane?

How about any frequent flyer rates with the local island hopper airlines for residents?

Real Estate: Thinking about the Volcano area - preferably by the golf course. Small DIY home - only need a couple acres. I'd like to hear where the locals would buy right now and what would influence your decision.

Lastly, we'll be in Hilo starting next Thursday for 10 days. You can find me performing throughout the week at the East Hawaii Jazz and Blues festival with Deems Tsutakawa and friends. I invite you all to come out for some great music for a great cause. (Native Hawaiian Veterans).

Thanks Everyone!

Mahalo

bradley

Bradley Leighton virtuoso flutist jazz pop song stylist R&B performer flute

[terracore]

There is currently only one real inter-island aircraft operator (but Southwest coming soon!) and here is their frequent flyer (sometimes called commuter) programs: https://www.hawaiianairlines.com/our...nd-travel-plan


There are some flight schools where you can rent aircraft. They are mostly on the Kona side.

[hotzcatz]

Five or seven years ago, we were part of an after school 'aviation appreciation' class. It was for high school students as well as anyone else who wanted to show up and at $15, it was a really reasonably priced class. At the end of the classes, a Cessna 172 (that's the four seater one, right?) was available so everyone could have a little flight experience. There was a pilot for the take offs and landings but all the students got a chance to fly the plane while in the air. There were only two students who showed up for the plane ride at the end of it all so we had six hours of plane time split between two people to play with. That was fun!

As to difficulty or weirdness of inter-island flying, a lot of that has to do with where you're flying. Honolulu International is a zoo and that's where some of the private planes land, too. Opelu point is just the opposite. No zoo, but nothing there, either so if you need fuel, tough luck.

There used to be some ultra lights in Hilo, but I've not been there lately to look.