Fly Maui

Do you remember that first time up in an airplane? The feeling of leaving everything behind? The feel of the controls? The sense of accomplishment? Join us on Episode 42 as Jill recounts her discovery flight to scenic Hana town on the island of Maui. Stick around for some great advice if you’re planning a trip to Maui!

Last week on Episode 40 we talked about some of the reasons that student pilots drop out in such high numbers. Some of those reasons included money, the hard work of flight training, and a lack of structure, just to name a few. On this week’s episode we’re keeping a similar theme, but we’re going to approach it from the CFI’s point of view. Here to help us today, is our own instructor, Ovick Kar.

The student pilot dropout rate is probably the highest of any discipline. Some numbers suggest the rate is as high as 70%. While it’s easy to say finances is the biggest reason, it seems that highly motivated students will find a way to come up with the cash to complete their training. So why are student pilots dropping out in such high numbers? On today’s episode we’ll look at some of the reasons and tips to keep pushing through training when you’re ready to throw in the towel.

On this week’s episode, we invited our nephew, Harrison Caubble, to join us and share about his aviation journey. Harrison shares how he got into flying in high school, the differences he experienced in Part 61 and Part 141 training, how he worked through training setbacks, and some practical advice for those looking at a career with the airlines. Harrison has had a lot of experience from becoming a private pilot, to instructor, to sitting in the front of an Embraer 170 at age 21!

We had some really good feedback about last week’s episode on Class C Airspace for Beginners by several listeners, and one request to cover the other kinds of airspaces. We’re not planning to have a month-long series about airspace, but we thought we’d go ahead and talk through Class D airspace since it’s more common for general aviation pilots, including us here in Hawaii.

For some pilots, the thought of flying into a Class C airport can be intimidating. The environment is busier and the communication with air traffic control can be daunting. On Episode 37, we’ll share some of the characteristics of Class C airspace and the requirements of flying into it. Additionally, we’ll cover how with a little planning, preparation and communication skills, you can make flying in a busier environment enjoyable.

The Air Race Classic, an all-women air race, is taking place this week. It began in Jackson, TN and will finish in Welland, Ontario. The ARC began in 1929 and was commonly known as the Powderpuff Derby. Women of all ages, from all walks of life, and with different aviation experiences compete in teams of 2 and 3. It’s a great week of promoting general aviation and women’s continued role in aviation.

Every pilot’s journey has to begin somewhere. For many student pilots, it starts with a discovery flight, or introductory lesson. On this episode, we’ll share some of the things you can expect on your discovery flight. Learning to fly is an exciting, challenging journey. Take the first step by booking your discovery flight with a local flight school or CFI.

Part of the reason we started the Fly Maui and The Aloha 360 podcasts was to leave behind a digital recording of our stories and experiences for our family. We wanted to take some time to sit down with Leslie’s dad, Rick Proctor, and hear some of his flying stories. Today we’re going to hear from him and some of the pilot heritage in Leslie’s family.

The Hana Airport in remote East Maui has become one of our favorite airports to fly into. Although it’s just a 15 minute flight from Kahului, it’s one of the most scenic flights in all of Hawaii. On this episode, we’re recording from the Hana Airport while we’re celebrating an anniversary “staycation” in Hana. Hana has an interesting history, and it’s one of most popular places for visitors to explore while on Maui.