Bill and his guys are excellent. Safe, fun and absolutely stunning to see and experience. My son…read moresaw two whales this week while in the glider. This is a must do when on Oahu!

Great experience!…read more Bill was great, and my pilot Sean was a real pro and very knowledgeable! And it was an absolutely fun ride!

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!

Flying a WWII warbird over Pearl Harbor is an unforgettable, deeply moving, and absolutely…read moreessential experience for history buffs and aviation fans, offering a visceral connection to history with the roar of the radial engine, the unique sights of Oahu from above, and a profound sense of stepping back in time, truly the highlight of any trip to O'ahu. From the detailed pre-flight "briefings," to soaring over iconic landmarks in immaculate, authentic aircraft, it's a humbling, emotional journey that brings the "Day of Infamy" to life, making you feel the courage and history in the air. Gary is a retired Air Force fighter pilot and really made history come alive for me. This is the experience of a lifetime!

Absolutely amazing experience!! I highly recommend this to anyone considering it or looking for a…read moreunique and unforgettable experience in Hawaii. Fantastic tour and flight with Pat Williams. Incredible history and narration during the flight and a master of the airplane. Can't say enough about how well the experience went!!

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

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. I hope you all get a driver self-nicknamed "Short"…read more We booked a Pearl Harbor tour which included a visit to the Dole pineapple gift shop as well as a drive around the island (with a few stops and drivebys). Our driver nicknamed "Short" was a great driver as well as a native who knew the island and all it's customs, history, and it's little fun facts and quirks. Short is also a life philosopher. I won't spoil it should you get him, but he has a good way of keeping things light hearted but really makes you think about why the world and it's constant feuding is the way it is. The trip started sharply at 8AM (hotel lobby pickup) and after picking up a few passengers at different hotels, we were off. The Pearl Harbor tour and the ride over was excellent. While I knew a lot of what he was narrating, he goes into the back story of why Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. Much different than what you probably learned in history class. Nothing excuses the Japanese military government for doing what they did and he's not an apologist for them, but he laid out the facts leading up to it. Very informative. The movie at the Pearl Harbor center was well done by the Park Service, but we didn't have much time to look around much after that as we needed to keep to schedule. A few passengers were a full 30 minutes late, but he didn't give them the riot act but instead gently and jokingly chided them a little. It was pretty funny! The Dole pineapple gift shop stop was all about buying stuff, so if you've done it you'll be bored. But for first timers, get the Pineapple Freeze at the back of the store. We stopped by three parks and beaches which included the North Shore, a park whose name I forget, and Hanauma Bay. We highly recommend PPF. Just remember as part of a tour, be courteous and be on time. Write it down, put it in your phone, whatever it takes to keep everyone on the tour on track!

Our bus drive to Polynesian cultural center was both enlightening and entertaining. Pita was our…read moreguide and made our 1:15 hour drive feel like a 20 minute drive. As we drove through he shared some highlights and historical facts which was nice. We felt ready and excited to tour the PCC.

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

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!

Staff is friendly, great new planes, owners are nice, your able to take your written here which is…read morea bonus!!!

Our son has earned is private pilot's license and is currently working on his instrument rating…read morewith PFA and has had a good experience with the school overall. The instructors are top notch - reliable, knowledgeable, and friendly. The school itself is growing and has expanded into multiple hangers with a variety of small aircraft. We've been pleased with his experience and have enjoyed the benefits of being his passenger.

This is an overdue post but the memories are still fresh. After spending a few days of online…read moreresearch, I found that Rainbow Helicopter doesn't only do aerial tours but also offers a discovery course for those who want to learn how to fly. Purchased this package as a surprise for my husband and it's ranked one of our most memorable experiences. I took the backseat with the doors off, while the very experienced (read: female ) pilot /instructor carefully and patiently taught my husband how to communicate, navigate and fly the helicopter while in the air, up front. This was the perfect package as most helicopter schools only offer instruction for those who are pursuing a flying license, and has minimum required hours of flight instruction time. Look no further than Rainbow Helicopter if you're interested in doing a tour on (above) O'ahu. The views from the air are unbeatable. I recommend this company if you're looking for a doors on or off tour.. and if you're wanting a bit more of an adrenaline rush -- a discovery flight course for an introduction to flying.

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!