Hawaii is home to 4 flight schools featured in our nationwide flight schools guide.
It’s a smaller field than the major training hubs, but the programs profiled below are credible options worth a closer look, particularly if you’d prefer to train without relocating.
Among our list of the top 4 Hawaii flight schools, 3 hold Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 141 certifications. This means their curriculum is FAA-approved and they require fewer flight hours for the commercial certificate.
All Flight Schools in Hawaii
Honolulu Community College, Aeronautics Maintenance Technology
Honolulu, HI
Best for: Students wanting affordable Hawaii AMT training
Honolulu Community College, Aeronautics Maintenance Technology is a two-year aviation college based in Honolulu, HI, certified under FAA Part 141. Worth knowing: Hawaii community-college AMT program.
- Tuition & fees
- Hawaii community-college rates.
- Program length
- 2-year AAS.
- Fleet
- Maintenance equipment.
- Airline partnerships
- Hawaiian Airlines pipeline.
- Job placement
- Strong AMT placement.
- Online options
- Some online components.
Kapiolani Community College, Aeronautical Maintenance Technology
Honolulu, HI
Best for: Students wanting affordable Hawaii community-college AMT training
Based in Honolulu, HI, Kapiolani Community College, Aeronautical Maintenance Technology is a two-year aviation college. Notable as the only major AMT program in Hawaii.
- Tuition & fees
- Hawaii community-college rates.
- Program length
- 2-year AAS.
- Fleet
- Maintenance equipment.
- Airline partnerships
- Hawaiian Airlines + island carrier pipelines.
- Job placement
- Strong via Hawaiian + island carriers.
- Online options
- Some online components.
Mauna Loa Helicopters
Hilo, HI
Best for: Students wanting helicopter training in Hawaii with diverse mountain/coastal/island flying environments
Mauna Loa Helicopters is a helicopter flight academy based in Hilo, HI, certified under FAA Part 141. Notable as the premier Hawaii-based helicopter training operation.
- Tuition & fees
- Helicopter training pricing, verify current with school.
- Program length
- Variable.
- Fleet
- Robinson R22, R44, R66 turbine; Bell 206 JetRanger; Bell 407.
- Airline partnerships
- Tour helicopter operator pipelines; air-medical pipelines.
- Job placement
- Strong, Hawaii tour operations + mainland transition.
- Online options
- Some online components.
Mauna Loa Helicopters Maui
Kahului, HI
Best for: Helicopter students wanting Maui training
Mauna Loa Helicopters Maui is a helicopter flight academy based in Kahului, HI, certified under FAA Part 141. Airline pathways: Maui tour operator pipelines.
- Fleet
- Robinson R22, R44.
- Airline partnerships
- Maui tour operator pipelines.
- Online options
- Some online components.
Specifics not published. Contact the school directly for current tuition, program length, and fleet details.
How Long Is Pilot School in Hawaii?
Pilot training in Hawaii typically runs about 2 years, based on the schools profiled below that publish a specific timeline. Not every school publishes a specific timeline. The schools below are the ones that do.
| School | Program length |
|---|---|
| Honolulu Community College, Aeronautics Maintenance Technology | 2 years |
| Kapiolani Community College, Aeronautical Maintenance Technology | 2 years |
How to Choose a Flight School in Hawaii
Choosing a flight school in Hawaii comes down to matching the program to your goal (airline pilot, corporate, helicopter, instructor) and your timeline. Use the considerations below to narrow the list.
- Decide between a degree and an accelerated certificate. Accelerated academies skip the degree and focus on getting you to the airlines faster.
- Confirm FAA Part 141 vs. Part 61. Part 141 schools follow an FAA-approved structured syllabus, which lets you finish the commercial certificate in fewer hours. Part 61 schools are more flexible but require more total flight time. Most Hawaii schools profiled here (including Mauna Loa Helicopters and Honolulu Community College, Aeronautics Maintenance Technology) hold Part 141 certification.
- Decide fixed-wing vs. rotor-wing early. Dedicated helicopter programs (like Mauna Loa Helicopters and Mauna Loa Helicopters Maui) lead to different job markets (utility, EMS, offshore, tour) than the airline-bound fixed-wing track.
- Confirm financial aid eligibility. 2 of the 4 Hawaii schools below participate in federal financial aid programs, which matters because flight training is one of the most expensive vocational paths in the country. VA benefits, scholarships, and tuition rebates can offset substantial portions of cost.
- Visit the campus or do a discovery flight. Tuition, fleet size, and partnerships are easy to compare on paper, but program culture, instructor quality, and weather-driven flight cancellations are not. A campus visit and a short intro flight are the fastest way to read a school before you commit to a multi-year investment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flight Schools in Hawaii
Why choose a flight school in Hawaii?
Choosing a flight school in Hawaii gives student pilots access to year-round flying weather and unique inter-island operating experience. Notable training hubs include Honolulu.
Do any aviation schools in Hawaii offer job placement?
Yes, several flight schools in Hawaii publish job-placement data, including Mauna Loa Helicopters, Kapiolani Community College, Aeronautical Maintenance Technology, and Honolulu Community College, Aeronautics Maintenance Technology. Not every school in the list below publishes placement rates. Ask each program directly when you compare.
What if a school doesn't offer FAA Part 141?
If a school doesn’t offer FAA Part 141, it most likely operates under Part 61. Part 141 schools follow an FAA-audited syllabus and let students earn the commercial certificate in fewer total flight hours (typically 190 hours versus 250 hours under Part 61). Part 61 schools are more flexible and often cheaper hour-for-hour, but they require more total time to reach the same ratings. In Hawaii, most schools below operate under Part 141. Kapiolani Community College, Aeronautical Maintenance Technology is listed as Part 61 only or unverified, so confirm certification with the school before enrolling.
Is financial aid available for Hawaii aviation programs?
Yes, financial aid is available for Hawaii aviation programs. 2 of the 4 schools profiled here participate in federal financial aid programs (Title IV), and many also offer institutional scholarships, VA / GI Bill benefits, or partner financing through Sallie Mae or similar lenders. Examples include Kapiolani Community College, Aeronautical Maintenance Technology and Honolulu Community College, Aeronautics Maintenance Technology. Aid eligibility varies by program type. Community college and university degrees usually qualify, while standalone Part 141 academies are case-by-case.
Are there helicopter training programs in Hawaii?
Yes, Hawaii has dedicated helicopter training programs, including Mauna Loa Helicopters and Mauna Loa Helicopters Maui. Helicopter careers typically lead to different employers than fixed-wing aviation (utility, EMS, offshore, tour operators, military contractors). Tuition also tends to run higher due to aircraft operating cost.
Do any Hawaii flight schools offer online or distance learning?
Yes, some Hawaii flight schools offer online ground school and academic coursework, though flight training itself is always in-person. Schools that publish online options include Mauna Loa Helicopters, Kapiolani Community College, Aeronautical Maintenance Technology, and Honolulu Community College, Aeronautics Maintenance Technology. If you’re balancing work or family commitments, asking about online ground school and weekend flight blocks is a useful filter.
