George's aviation took me from .9 hours (I had previously had a discovery flight with a different…read morecompany) to private pilot in less than 50 days and that includes the check-ride. I was in Hawaii for work on a 50 day temporary assignment. I wanted to get in a flight or two while in Hawaii just to see the sights. Once I went up, I was hooked. George mentioned that he thought I could solo in Hawaii if I worked hard. Well, I got to solo at around three weeks. When that happened, George mentioned that I might be able to finish my PPL before I left the island. I thought he was crazy, but HE made it happen! George along with the rest of the team at George's Aviation treated me like family. I spent a lot of time with these folks and it never felt transactional. As a matter of fact, I'd have to ask them to pay so my bill wouldn't be so large at any given time! I got to know them very well and they got to know me. They all had a vested interest in my future as a pilot and I spent time outside the hanger with several of them going to dinner, sporting events and other local places having a great time! I was able to make some great friends while in Honolulu - especially at George's Aviation. George has several planes to choose from. He has everything from a six pack Cessna 150 for the budget conscious pilot all the way up to a nearly new Cirrus SR-20. I chose to fly in the newer Cessna 172S equipped with the G1000. He has three to choose from, so I never had to wait on a plane to be available. His maintenance staff is on-site and are constantly working to keep each plane airworthy and safe. Again, I never had to wait for a plane while in maintenance. I made several trips to check out his maintenance shop over the 50 days I was there and I can say that I trust the planes being worked on by George's Aviation to be safe and dependable. Now, back to the instructors. I had about five instructors helping me along the way, with two main instructors ensuring I was able to fly as often as my schedule allowed. These people worked day and night to ensure that I was safe and proficient. I had three instructors with me the night before my check-ride to make sure I was fully prepared. I was also able to knock out my high performance endorsement while I was in town also. I can't recommend George's Aviation enough. Thanks so much to George and Donna, along with Bianca and Spencer for making my dreams a reality. Also, a special thanks to Elan, Brandon, Dane, Jasmine and Jimmy for helping me throughout my journey to becoming a private pilot! And thanks to all those who I didn't mention specifically as there are many I connected with at George's and everyone there made me feel like a long time friend and welcomed me into their Ohana. Next stop instrument training!

I've had the opportunity to train at various schools in Southern California and here in Hawaii. And…read moreI can wholeheartedly say, training at George's Aviation has been a very positive experience. Their updated facility, advance simulator, friendly staff, knowledgeable CFIs, and varied planes to choose from are perfect for any flight school student, from the casual pilot to someone focused on a future at the airlines or corporate aviation. One aspect I appreciate is the personalized approach to instruction from their large network of CFIs. Not every student is the same and I appreciate their efforts in tailoring their instruction to fit my schedule and needs to become a competent and confident pilot. Lastly, the reality of the situation is the cost of training is high anywhere you go, but the experience gained while flying out of a busy Class Bravo airport like Honolulu International is uniquely invaluable. As a student, you'll learn more and be better equipped to tackle flying in a truly faced-paced professional environment. Look no further than George's for your flight training goals! -Joe Sillaman

For my husband's birthday while we were on Oahu, I purchased a 1 hour Discovery Flight from Lani…read moreLea Flight School. While it was the most expensive discovery flight service I found, it was the only one that had openings last minure (I had only started looking for a flight a week before our trip) so we went with it. We had a great time! The Lani Lea offices are very nice. Prior and after our flight we were served drinks in the waiting area, and after the flight we got snacks too. The team was very hospitable, and also took photos of us on the plane before our flight. We did the 1 hour island tour, and since it was at the end of our trip it was cool to see all the places we had visited, but from the sky! We flew on a Cessna 172P with instructor Matt, and would recommend the experience again. It was a little bit windy and rocky, but I brought ginger candies so I wouldn't feel as sick. My husband got to fly the plane, and I sat in the back and watched. Matt said that it is up to us - my husband could decide to fly as much as possible, or take a break just to take photos. Even if you don't want to fly the plane yourself, it's still a neat experience.

Had a horrible time with Lani lea flight school, they told me i had an appointment with them on…read moresunday the day they told me they were open but saw they were closes and i asked twice to make sure if they open on that day 3 months in advance for a lesson out here while im on vacation, the day comes i get no calls and i try calling and no answer, i show up in person and like i expected the store was closed and walked around for an hour asking other stores if they had another meeting spot which i went to and no one was also there, they are super unprofessional and i wouldn't recommend anyone to try flying out with this school

Great service. Their website is in Japanese only, but for you English speakers just give them a…read morecall. Emi scheduled our helicopter tour, and even picked us up from our hotel on-time. She was super nice. What a great experience - ask them for their specials.

AWESOME helicopter tour! I did this on my 25th birthday as a present to myself (2nd present…read moreactually - Hawaii was my first present!) I booked and the person picked me up and dropped me off promptly. There was another couple from the mainland on the helicopter tour with me and the pilot was nice enough to let me sit next to him in front (although the husband seemed pissy when the pilot asked him if I could sit in front). Anyway, the pilot was really cool. I told him I was afraid of heights and when we were going through some turbulence, he kept talking to me to make sure I wouldn't freak out. We veered off course and got to see more than what was planned for. He also pointed out every landmark and some whales (or what he thought were whales!) as well as gave some interesting facts/history about the things he was pointing out. If you're ever in Oahu, give them a call! They are super friendly and super professional!!!

We shot a commercial here, inside the Center's "practice" plane which it uses to train future…read moreaerospace engineers and mechanics. I played the non-speaking part of what I'm calling "bitchy middle-aged Asian woman," aka Passenger Extra No. 25. It was a great set, authentic-looking, comfortable, and not too moldy/smelly. There were props from the plane's actual flight days, I think, still aboard, such as fake suitcases and old Hawaiian Air magazines, barf bags, safety instruction cards, and so on. Rehearsing and shooting the same 10 or so scenes in multiple takes, over several hours, on a hot summer Sunday afternoon, was not as bad as you'd think. The production crew arranged for an A/C truck (and stuck a few hoses from that huge air conditioning unit through pukas in the plane's emergency exit section, to cool us), tented craft services next to the nearby building, and a generally professional shoot. Bathrooms were right around the corner from the building and plane, so we were generally well-fed, well-hydrated, and comfy. I have a feeling this interior location had been used for Lost? Hawai'i Five-O? And any other island video productions with scenes that call for being inside of a plane. You'd think the flights overhead would make sound recording impossible, but it wasn't that bad, really. One small clip-on light, a medium-small light bank, and a reflector, plus the natural light streaming from the plane's windows, was all the camera crew/gaffers seemed to need, to light the three main "talent" performing the bulk of the story. [Plus a camera and all that stuff.] Fun that Honolulu CC's PCATT rents this out to local and Hollywood film crews. The most interesting "flight" I've ever been on, sans the take-off, flying, and landing parts, of course.

Each year around my birthday, I enjoy doing something thrilling (some would say crazy) to celebrate…read morebeing alive. I prefer trying new activities, and this year I chose paragliding. Conceptually similar to hang gliding, paragliding involves the use of a wide canopy that resembles a parachute and enables the pilot considerable controlled maneuverability through the air: up, down, and around. I have often seen paragliders soaring above Makapu'u Point and have wanted to give it a try. Once I noticed a Gravity Hawaii van advertising tandem flights, I was all in. I called Gravity Hawaii owner Pete and requested a double tandem flight to fly my husband and me simultaneously. He referred me to his colleague Doug to schedule it. My miseducation was about to begin. Doug was a very friendly guy, super chill, and extremely good about follow-up. We settled on a date but had to cancel due to high winds. The next time we had to cancel due to rain. The third time was a charm--or so I thought. Doug confirmed that the weather was in our favor and we proceeded to meet him and his fellow pilot Jorge at the predetermined spot. Prior to arrival, Doug instructed us to wear sneakers and bring a spare pair of long pants, jacket, water, sunscreen, and camera. After completing the waiver forms, Jorge and Doug loaded us up with our gear and marched us partway up the side of Makapu'u to the launch site. The hike was steep and rather difficult due to the loose dirt and rock all the way up. Once at the take-off spot, it was challenging just to keep our footing for the same reasons. My husband's pilot, Jorge, soon had them all ready to go, and with Doug's help, launched quickly. I enthusiastically took their picture from the ground and eagerly awaited my turn with Doug. And waited. And waited. For the next TWO HOURS, Doug and I attempted to take off, making minor adjustments of location and elevation. Doug explained that the wind direction and speed had shifted just following my husband's takeoff with Jorge and that was the reason it had suddenly become so difficult for us. We never made it into the air, although we did catch just enough wind to drag us down the hill a few feet on our backsides. After scrambling up and down the steep grade repeatedly plus changing launch sites, I finally gave up after two hours, tired, hot, thirsty, covered in dust and irritated that my pilot didn't seem to have sense enough to call it a day. Doug was genuinely surprised that I wasn't ready to keep trying (!), but I got the sense that paragliders spend a LOT of time doing what we had just done. Ugh. You gotta give the guy credit for trying! As I walked back down the hill and into the parking lot, I met up with Jorge and my husband, who had just completed a fantastic two-hour flight. The day was beautiful with excellent visibility from Makapu'u to Haleakala. At least one of us had a great flight! Yes, I would still love to enjoy a tandem paragliding flight, without question. But after three failed attempts, I'm not sure when I will next attempt it. Yelp 365 Challenge #039/365

I gave Pete 4 stars based on meeting him near Sandy Beach on Oahu and watching him instruct a…read morestudent. THE island's paragliding guru was providing instruction via a jimmy-rigged skooter tethered to the student and sail. I have not yet tried paragliding but when I do, it will be with Gravity Hawaii. It looked safe and he was very knowledgeable. I took away a star because I tried to email him and went to his site, but had a problem getting in touch. Also, because his nickname scares me a bit... Pete "Reaper" Michelmore. You can learn by flying tandem, or kiting through skooter towing (his own invention) you see here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/laulau18/sets/72157623242137947/ Can't wait to try it!

I am a current private pilot and decided to add a glider rating. It has been 20+ years since I…read morefirst flew a glider. Brian and Yuko have a fantastic operation. This is the only winch tow at the airfield and is by far my favorite way to get to release altitude. This is an amazing place to add a rating. I am looking forward to my ongoing training here!

Although I visit one of the islands every year, it's been many, many years since my last visit to…read moreOahu. On this visit, there was one definite item on my list of things to do...and that was to go soaring! As a power and glider pilot, I've been lucky enough to be exposed and get training under various conditions. But the one condition that has always eluded me was ridge soaring. But here on Oahu (in particular, Dillingham Airfield) ridge soaring is fairly predictable and common. On a scouting drive to the airport, I met up with Brian who courteously gave me all the information I needed to set up a lesson in the following days. He stayed in touch with me by phone as minor changes detoured our arrangement slightly. Arriving at the airport a few days later, I got to watch sailplane operations...both winch and aerotow. Brian next introduced me to the flight instructor that would accompany me on my flight..."JJ." After the standard discussion about my piloting experience, JJ and I were buckled in and ready for our winch launch in a Grob103. Now most of my glider experience is through winch launching. But when I was told they typically winch to just 900 ft, I was a little skeptical as that is the altitude I'd usually be at when preparing to land. But this is their turf and I completely trusted in their professionalism and expertise. Releasing at 1100 ft (we got a little extra altitude), JJ had me bee-line directly for the ridge on the south side of the runway...and just like that...lift! So up we went! After just a couple passes up and down the ridge line, we'd gained just over a 1000 ft of altitude. With altitude, we could now extend our soaring range along the ridge. On this particular day, we found some really strong lift and some sink as well. But we worked a couple areas that had really strong lift and eventually made it up to 3800 ft. Besides seeing a few other sailplanes, you get a spectacular view of the coastline that stretches north (AKA North Shore)....waves as far as the eye can see! We also spotted a few whales breaching and making big splashes just off shore. But for me, the real beauty is awesome views in all directions...like the large windmills in the distance and clouds right above you. Even the green treeline on the ridge we soared above was a true sight to see from the air. Seeing everything from the air, is just better in my book! Of all the things I did on my vacation to Oahu, this tops my list of fun things I did! As we flew, I had numerous questions about ridge soaring which JJ promptly answered and explained. It was great to meet and fly with people that knew the game so well. If you are ever on Oahu, I'd strongly suggest you take a ride with HGSA. If you're a pilot too, take a formal lesson...you might be amazed at what you can learn from the unique conditions this area offers. Much thanks...Brian and JJ! If either of you are ever in Prescott, Arizona, come check out our winch operations!

It was a beautiful Sunday morning on the day of my helicopter tour! Prior to boarding, you watch a…read moreshort info./safety video, receive a life vest, and a clear phone case on a lanyard to use on the ride. After that, you take a short golf cart ride to the helicopter. Friendly staff directs you where to stand for photos and where to enter the helicopter. Once all passengers had their seatbelts fastened, Pilot Conor started our tour. (*Staff member Malia recommended doors off. ) Conor gave interesting commentary throughout the tour as we experienced the beauty of Oahu. It was breathtaking to have an aerial view of the "nooks and crannies" of the island from the island's coastline to the mountains! Highly recommend Rainbow Helicopters! Staff was professional and friendly from start to finish. This was truly a 5-star experience!

Highlight of our Kona trip…read more The customer service and hospitality of the team was exceptional! We booked a private flight with just the two of us. I was just over the weight limit. Had to reschedule for different day on bigger copter that holds more people and would be with other people. However, on that flight, the other passengers couldn't make it. So we ended up private after all. Wilson was a great host, Michael "Turtle" was a great knowledgeable pilot, I forget everyone else's name. But they were all very hospitable. The flight was amazing. 1.5 hours of coastline and waterfalls, canyons, valleys, and picturesque views of the largest volcano Mauna Kea. Very smooth ride. Even though the pilot said "turbulence" in areas. We barely noticed any. Highly recommend paying extra for the pictures AND video package of your flight. One half of video image screen is inside, bottom half is outside.