How to Become a Pilot

Still unsure if you would like to begin your flight training? We highly recommend that you book an intro flight (1-hour flight) with us at the discounted rate of $156.02 (tax included). You’ll be flying with one of our Certified Flight Instructors (CFI)! We’ll teach you the basic overview about our aircrafts, the Honolulu airspace, as well as the fundamentals of flying. We’ll have you explore our stunning practice areas and answer any questions that you may have! Feel free to bring your phone on board so you can take pictures and videos! Once you have committed to flight training, we recommend that you get started on receiving your Student Pilot Certificate through IACRA as well as receive at least your Third Class Medical Certificate with a local Aviation Medical Examiner (AME).

Once you have committed to flight training at Lani Lea, our office management staff will pair you up with one of our CFIs that matches your availability. Our CFIs have been trained to ensure that you obtain the knowledge, safety, as well as situational awareness required to operate an aircraft. We strive to train our students to not only pass a checkride but to be one of the top trained pilots of Hawaii. Once partnered with your CFI, they will notify you of the requirements for your PPL Checkride in order to obtain your Private Pilot License. These requirements include a minimum of 40 hours of flight time and ground training over topics such as aerodynamics, operation of systems, and more! Not only will you receive quality training but you will be conducting flight training in one of the most beautiful places in the world!

Your next step will be to obtain your Instrument Rating which certifies pilots to be able to fly solely by reference to instruments. Some scenarios that a pilot would need to do this is when visibility is reduced such as flying through clouds, fog, vog, and more. Not only will you be entering into a new phase of flight training but this phase will require more cross-country flight training. You can expand your threshold of flying in more complex weather conditions that all of Hawaii has to offer! Ultimately, making you a much more thorough pilot.

After you have become instrument rated, you will now begin your commercial flight training. Becoming a commercial pilot allows you to fly for compensation or hire. This training requires a higher level of standards when it comes to maneuvers and landings as well as a more in-depth knowledge of ground topics such as the Federal Aviation Regulations, aerodynamics, weather theory, and more.

We understand that the majority of pilots that aim to become Commercial Pilots are also aiming to become Airline Transport Pilots (ATP) to fly in the airline industry. With that being said, you are required to obtain 1,500 hours to become applicable for the airline industry. One way of doing so is flight instructing. As a Commercial Pilot, you are able to train to become a Certified Flight Instructor. This training requires you to understand and teach the same maneuvers and landings that you were required throughout your flight training. You will also be trained on how to explain and instruct the multiple aviation topics that you were required to know such as aerodynamics, operations of systems, flight planning, etc. Becoming a CFI allows you a new avenue of time-building where you are now getting paid to fly instead of paying to fly!