THE PILOT’S JOURNAL
Exploring Hawaii In a Cessna 172SP
The Hawaiian Islands create an exquisite landscape from the sky. Picture the haunting beauty of more than a half-dozen waterfalls cascading off the mist-filled cliffs of the Maui coastline. Understand, the water is a beautiful blue. The cliffs are a lush green. And, at 500 feet MSL it is relatively easy to see sunken ships, giant green sea turtles, sea caves, magnificent, private, beaches, as well as a wonderful array of small airports.
We spotted more than 50 waterfalls alone in our afternoon, VFR, flight. The Hawaii Islands, truly, offer a wonderful opportunity for Atlantic aviators. In our case, with more than two weeks in Hawaii dedicated to our 25th wedding anniversary, my wife Cheryl and I had constructed an array of adventures to offset two weeks of ocean cruising. Zip Flying? Check! Ocean beach horse back riding? Check? Aviation Adventure? Check! Check!
Welcome to Maui Aviators!
During our adventure in Hawaii we wandered extensively throughout the islands. Still, between the ocean cruises, car rentals, and on-shore adventures something seemed missing. My wife Cheryl asked, cautiously, if we might consider a helicopter ride. Yes, these are extremely popular on Hawaii. Still, as a fixed wing pilot, it held minimal appeal. Which is why, after picking up our car rental in Maui, at Kahului Airport, we headed toward General Aviation.
Finding General Aviation in Hawaii, you should understand, is more challenging than in the Northeast. The offices were gated. And airport personnel did not understand our mission nor actually understand that General Aviation was not part of the charter operation based in the main airport terminal. Still, after somehow connecting with another pilot from Chicago who was seeking to rent a Cessna, we finally located Maui Aviators
Based in this Class C Airport, and sharing the airspace with a mix of Boeing 767’s, 777’s, helicopters, as well as general aviation aircraft, Maui Aviators is a friendly group of CFI’s offering a mix of instructional, scenic, and rental services. After a friendly discussion and review of my logbook, I hold a Private Pilot Certificate with an Instrument Rating as well as Complex and High Performance Endorsements we took an area sectional and sketched out a check out and scenic ride. Our ride? Cessna 172SP N6009. A wonderful 180 hp nicely equipped, clean, Cessna.
Forget the anxiety. This is a wonderful adventure for an Atlantic aviator. Both the CFI’s at Maui Aviators and the tower reflect a low-key, relaxed, Hawaiian style built to make the adventure a ride to remember. In fact, Maui Clearance took a moment to both welcome me to the airspace, and to explain not to hesitate to call should I have any questions as we explored their islands. Moreover, they explained that most visitors do not use flight following as it is suggested to fly low, 500 feet, to savor the scenery. Instrument Flight Plans? Because the weather is so very consistent, and the clouds so consistent, most general aviation flights are flown VFR. That said, tower suggested we watch out for the helicopters!
Maui Tower? Cessna cleared for departure!
Pushing the throttle full forward, we easily lifted off the runway and quickly settled in at a comfortable 500 feet MSL as we left the airspace. Our mission? After completing my checkout we planned to slowly circle 4 islands: Maui, Molokai, Molokini, and Lanai. The airports? One was towered. The others were non-towered. All were either near or directly next to the ocean. Some had gliders on the field. One had a Trike land without power ahead of our Cessna. And all boasted a kind of friendly attitude and warm welcome which heightened our afternoon adventure.
Interested in learning about those legendary tradewinds? In our case we found the crosswinds far more consistent and easier to manage than those found on Block Island. In fact, all the landings seemed wonderfully gentle as if to further heighten the kind of Hawaiian greeting Maui Aviators works to cultivate on behalf of the islands.
We spent more than two and a half hours circling the islands. Our highlights? The cascading waterfalls were simply spectacular. In fact, in slow flight, we virtually mimicked the experience of the helicopters as I let the Cessna slowly drift backwards before adding sufficient power to hold our position. Cool! The sunken ships? The two ships we spotted were half-submerged in the ocean and added an interesting piece of Hawaiian history to our adventure. The giant green sea turtles made my wife Cheryl shout with glee.
Looking off in the distance, you should know, we easily spotted more of the Hawaiian Islands. And we certainly could have added those locales to our adventure. In fact, the other pilot I met, from Chicago, rented a Cessna for the week and planned to use it to have his family “puddle jump” from island to island. Nice. Very very nice.
We saw plantations. Pineapple groves. Sugar cane. Countless magnificent beaches. 
Green sea turtles. Sailing schooners. Surfers. Rain forests. Sea cliffs. We shall stop. The sights were captivating. Intoxicating. Even mesmorizing. In fact, the cascading waterfalls alone - seeing so very many at a single time, made the trip a memory of a lifetime. As we neared the airport, and as I contacted the tower, the controller asked if I had enjoyed my ride. Yes! Hmm, that IS an understatement. Cleared to land, following a large Boeing, I grinned as we taxied to the ramp. In our case, renting a Cessna 172SP added a wonderful component to our Hawaiian adventure. The sights were extraordinary. And, as a pilot, I now hold a log book endorsement from Maui Aviators. Okay. My wife also has a cap. Afterall, without her prodding I likely would not have pursued this adventure. And that would have been a mistake.
Hawaii from the air? For my wife Cheryl and myself, we realized that that there is a difference between commercial and general aviation. In our case we travelled to Hawaii. And then we flew in Hawaii. And it’s the latter that made our adventure most memorable. Intrigued? Considering a trip to Hawaii? Call Maui and it’s better than reruns of Hawaii 5-0. Book’em Dano
Salute.
Photos by Cherly Crespi. Story by writer Tony Crespi. Tony is an Instrument rated Private Pilot With Complex and High Performance Endorsements. He is based at Hartford’s Brainard Airport where he and his wife Cheryl own a Mooney M20 K.
