What sets us apart from other accelerated programs?

Tropicbird takes pride in each and every individual student we work with. The difference is in the attitude we have toward training. We are not an “academy” nor do we attempt to speed you thru a program just to get your ticket. If you want that, then there are plenty of fast track programs available that can do the job. What we strive to do is to truly prepare you for your future in the air, regardless of whether you are going for a career or flying just for fun. We also recognize that learning to fly is a major event in your life and that it should be an enjoyable and most memorable time for you as well as a lot of hard work.

All through our accelerated program, we relentlessly stress the fundamentals and help you build a solid foundation for your future flying. We want to make sure that when you get your license, you will have the confidence and skills to continue growing as a pilot. Our Chief Flight Instructor, Mike Lauro has much practical “real world”experience to pass along to you with over 30 years of flying, 15 years as an instructor, with over 5000 hours of flight training given and an island resident since 1988. Mike also served as a Captain in the USAF and understands what professionalism is truly about.

Enjoying the process is all part of the plan!

One thing we have going for us is that we love what we do and especially love doing it in Hawaii! You will have some of the most memorable times of your life learning and experiencing the warmth of the island style of flight training!

Accelerated Private Pilot Course

Course length: 21 days (can be tailored to meet your schedule)

Course aircraft:
State of the art DA-20 C-1 Eclipse with Garmin 530 GPS system.
Our new Cessna 172 SP - G1000 is also available for this course.

Accelerated Private Pilot Course (minimum required flight hours)

Accelerated Instrument Training Course

The Big Island is definitely one of the best places in the nation to complete accelerated IFR training. You will have no problem with weather delays due to low freezing levels or severe weather systems. You will be flying out of the busy Kona International Airport (Class D). Your IFR training will take you across the Big Island and on to our neighbor Islands for your cross country flights, cool stuff!

Over on the eastern, windward - wet side of the Big Island, we have Hilo Airport. The ‘Hilo side’ of the Big Island sees a mix of sunshine and plenty of moisture riding in on the trade winds. Those same volcanoes that keep the Kona side dry also serve to lift those incoming wet trade winds uphill to produce nice fluffy and misty clouds. Icing is non-existent at the altitudes we operate in and thunderstorms are very infrequent in the Hawaiian Islands.

Combine this mellow, IFR weather with the very quiet, Hilo Airport Class D radar approach control, and you have a perfect setup for highly efficient IFR training. Even flying out of Kona, it is a short hop over to the windward side to do multiple approaches with the friendly Hilo controllers watching over your moves. You will no doubt get plenty of “actual” instrument weather flying right on down to near minimums on approach!

Once on the ground, there is even a classic Hawaiian diner within walking distance to the Hilo ramp, Kens House of Pancakes, to grab a delicious lunch during a break in the action!

Estimated Cost of Accelerated Instrument Training:

Accelerated Instrument Training Course (minimum required flight hours)