mauna loa helicopter tours safety record

About Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours

❀ mauna loa helicopter tours ❀, a private helicopter tour of hawaii like no other.

Mauna Loa Helicopters has been offering private sightseeing tours over Kauai since 2006, and we recently expanded to offer tour operations from our island bases on Oahu and the Big Island. Along with our impeccable safety record, we take pride in making each tour a spectacular, personalized experience. We exclusively use the incredibly reliable and energy-efficient Robinson helicopters. We fly under IE: FAA Part 136.

Mauna Loa Helicopters started out as a flight training school and has been training professional helicopter pilots for 22 years. As a result, all of our pilots are highly trained and have years of experience flying over Hawaii’s varied terrain and navigating its uniquely diverse weather conditions. They are also Certified Flight Instructors, especially skilled and current in safety operations. Because of this blend of skills, they are a great source of information about not only local landmarks, but also the operation of helicopters and the unique aspects of life in Hawai’i. During your flight, each pilot provides a personal narration accompanied by an individually selected soundtrack

Need more information or interested in scheduling a tour? Our aloha spirited staff is happy to assist you. You can reach all islands from 8:00am to 4:00pm Hawaii Standard Time. We can also be reached via email at [email protected] .

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If you are interested in learning more about Mauna Loa Helicopters Training Schools, please visit our sister website at www.maunloahelicopters.edu .

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TOUR PILOTS TRAINED BY FIRE DEPT. RESCUE PILOT

Kalei Gregory, Director of Operations, was born and raised in Hawaiʻi. After the Navy, he started flight training and instruction at Mauna Loa Helicopters. Kaleiʻs first turbine job was at Paradise Helicopters where he flew tours, exclusive charters, longline, and filming. He was also an instructor and check airman, as well as the Chief Pilot and Director of Operations. He currently flies for Hawaiʻi County Fire Department where he flies EMS, search and rescue, and fire suppression.

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Tour Helicopter Crashes — And Flights — Have Escalated In Recent Years

In Hawaii, 2019 was the deadliest year for tour helicopters in nearly two decades, with 10 people dying in two crashes, a Civil Beat review of federal records shows.

The year ended with a Dec. 28 crash on Kauai , when an Airbus helicopter operated by Safari Helicopters crashed into a steep rock face, dropped 100 feet and caught fire, killing the pilot and six passengers.

And the total number of tour helicopter crashes, both fatal and non-fatal, has escalated during the last two years. There were six crashes in 2018 and four crashes in 2019. Only one previous year — 2007 — had as many as four crashes during the last 20 years, according to National Transportation Safety Board records.

Meanwhile, Hawaii Department of Transportation records based on self-reporting by individual companies show that the number of tour operators in Hawaii has more than doubled in the last 10 years and flight volumes have increased by nearly 67% in the same period.

The recent spate of crashes, which are among 38 accidents and 45 fatalities since 2000, has brought new scrutiny to the helicopter tour industry. Weather-related, mechanical or faulty maintenance causes have been identified in nearly all of the crashes.

Vocal critics like U.S. Rep. Ed Case and state Sen. Laura Thielen are pushing for action to address safety and noise concerns. Case is seeking legislation that would implement stronger regulations and force the Federal Aviation Administration to give chopper operations the same scrutiny received by airlines.

“The hard statistics on rapid acceleration of Hawai’i tour helicopter operations only confirm what we already know: these operations have become a major safety risk and community disruption throughout all parts of Hawai’i,” Case said in an email this week. “Absent effective regulation, we can only expect these safety risks and community disruption to continue to accelerate.”

Richard Schuman, owner of Schuman Aviation, pushed back hard against Case’s portrayal of the industry as unsafe and in need of stronger federal regulations in the wake of the Kauai crash. He said his company already complies with FAA standards.

“No number (of deaths) is acceptable,” Schuman said at a press conference in January . “Zero is what every operator, especially tour operators, are trying to do. Absolute zero.”

He didn’t respond to interview requests for this story.

Weather, Faulty Maintenance Key Factors

To get a fuller picture of the industry’s safety record, Civil Beat reviewed NTSB reports on the 38 accidents in the last two decades.

The records don’t provide a way to determine the relative safety or long-term trends in the tourist helicopter industry, since there is no information available to compare the number of crashes with total flying time.

The data does offer a detailed window into the frequency and causes of crashes:

• Since 2000, 11 of the 38 crashes involved fatalities. Kauai had more fatalities than other islands, with 25 people killed. Oahu and Hawaii Island each had four fatalities. There were seven killed on Maui and five on Molokai.

• 45 people have died and another 40 have been injured in Hawaii helicopter tour crashes.

• The number of crashes fluctuates significantly, with zero crashes reported in four of the last 10 years.

• Investigators blamed eight of the 38 incidents on weather-related factors. The weather-related incidents account for 25 deaths. Many of the rest were attributed to mechanical causes, although it was unclear if weather was a secondary factor in some.

Indeed weather appears to have been a factor in the deadly Kauai crash.

An NTSB preliminary report released earlier in January did not draw conclusions about the cause of the latest Kauai crash. However, it noted that a witness who heard “a hovering helicopter followed by a high pitched whine” just before the crash reported there was only about “20 feet of visibility in rain and fog” at the witness’s location about 1.5 miles from the crash site.

None of the helicopter companies contacted by Civil Beat — Blue Hawaiian, Sunshine, Paradise and Safari Helicopters — answered repeated requests for interviews or information.

The Helicopter Association of Hawaii, which represents eight tour operators, refused to respond to questions about the industry, such as the number of tour operators in the state or fleet sizes.

Bad Weather, Maintenance Shortcomings

Together, the crashes reviewed by Civil Beat portray an industry facing a broad array of challenges, from dangers created by the vagaries of weather conditions throughout Hawaii, to mechanical failures, maintenance shortcomings and pilot error.

At least two of the crashes involved helicopters with manufacturing defects, including potentially fire-prone fuel tanks.

Limited flight technology is also cited in many NTSB accident reports. The recent preliminary report on the Kauai crash noted the helicopter lacked electronic flight tracking equipment.

The NTSB also said the pilot, Paul Matero, 69, was on his eighth flight of the day when the crash occurred.

Stan Rose, executive director of the Tour Operators Program of Safety and the Helicopter Safety Alliance – two national trade groups — said safety culture remains a major challenge for tour helicopter companies, where pilots and maintenance personnel are under great pressure to keep aircraft flying.

“It’s a tough business,” Rose said. “There is no rule that says the fickle finger of fate strikes equally over all companies.

“With all helicopters, we are managing risk. The biggest predictor is a safety culture in the organization where everyone is pointed toward the safety model. Back in the old days, you often judged your pilots on who was willing to fly that extra mile. The culture changed over time. Now, we recommend using a flight-risk evaluation tool. It’s the pilot and it’s the company.”

The accidents in Hawaii since 2000 involved 16 different operators, of which at least four are believed to be no longer in business.

Using online search resources and records of the Hawaii Department of Transportation, Civil Beat identified 18 tour operators that appear to offer services somewhere in the state. Seven are believed to be among the state’s largest tour operators and have had at least two crashes, but several apparently small operators have reported no tour accidents.

Ten crashes involved a single tour operator, Paradise Helicopters, also known as K&S Helicopters Inc., based in Kailua-Kona with operations on Hawaii Island and Oahu. Four people died in a single Paradise crash in 2003.

Another five crashes, with 12 dead and nine injured, have involved aircraft operated by Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, also known as Helicopter Consultants of Maui LLC, with operations throughout the state. Four more crashes have involved Sunshine Helicopters Inc., which also operates on several different islands.

In one particularly bizarre incident in October 2018, a pilot flying on Oahu for Novictor Aviation lost consciousness twice during a flight and was awoken by rescue personnel after the craft crashed onto a sandbar. A passenger softened the landing by taking over the controls to slow the descent.

“The pilot remembers being in dream-like state during his loss of consciousness,” the NTSB report reads, “and in the dream-like state he was piloting the helicopter and knew that he was in an emergency situation.” Three people suffered serious injuries in the crash.

Novictor was also the operator of the helicopter that crashed in Kailua on Oahu in April of last year, killing all three people aboard after parts of the craft fell off in mid-air. The helicopter caught fire on impact. NTSB’s final report indicating the cause has not been released.

The overwhelming majority of the crashes reviewed by Civil Beat involved three manufacturers, including 16 built by Airbus; 13 by MD Helicopters and four by Robinson Helicopter.

Two of the Novictor crashes involved a controversial Robinson model known as the R44 manufactured by Robinson with an extensive record of catching fire. At one point the company issued a safety directive advising pilots and passengers to wear fireproof clothing.

Civil Beat contacted all three manufacturers for comment on the performance of their aircraft. None responded.

Is More Regulation Needed?

Rick Fried, a Honolulu lawyer who has litigated helicopter accidents for more than 20 years, said none of what Civil Beat found in its review surprised him.

Among Fried’s cases was a 2016 accident on Kauai in which an Airbus helicopter flown by Blue Hawaiian crashed on a beach near Hanalei. A young Texas physician, Dr. Lindsey Hicks, sustained injuries that left her a paraplegic, Fried said. Her boyfriend, her parents and another unrelated passenger were also hurt.

According to the NTSB report, the pilot was flying in clear weather when the engine failed at about 1,300 feet in the air. FAA regulations for Hawaii generally require tour flights to operate at an altitude of at least 1,500 feet. The case is ongoing.

“Every island has specific problems,” Fried said. “More than 50% of my cases are due to flying into something that the pilot thinks is a cloud, but turns out to be a mountain. If we eliminated the pilot error, the number of helicopter crashes in Hawaii would go down by more than 50%.

“Basically, they just have to exercise better judgment.”

A second lawyer with experience litigating Hawaii tour helicopter crashes believes maintenance problems are particularly acute in many of the crashes.

Floyd Wisner, who represented victims in the 2007 Kauai crash of an Airbus helicopter operated by the defunct Heli-USA tour company said of Hawaii crashes he has handled: “It is usually a combination of pilot error and some kind of malfunction. What bothers me is that, every time there is a crash like this, there’s a promise of more oversight, then, damnit, the same thing happens again.”

The 2007 NTSB report on the Heli-USA incident, in which four people were killed, observed that: “Examination of the company maintenance program revealed that none of the mechanics at the helicopter’s base had received factory training and that the maintenance manuals they used were three revisions out of date.”

It also said “Mandatory quality control inspections of maintenance actions, as well as post-maintenance test flights described in the General Operator’s Manual and the manufacturer’s maintenance manuals were not performed.”

The report found that part of the drive mechanism connected to the transmission became disconnected because a mechanic had failed to sufficiently tighten a critical nut.

The NTSB reports of many other incidents are also riddled with references to metal fatigue, inadequate lubrication and cracking of critical components.

For example, the investigation of a 2016 crash of a Bell helicopter operated by the now-defunct company, Genesis Helicopters, found a key component of a drive shaft had apparently not been lubricated.

In the 2016 incident, which was covered extensively in the media at the time, the pilot initiated an emergency landing, but changed direction because people were standing in his intended landing path. The helicopter landed in the water and turned over. One teenaged passenger was killed and four others were injured.

The NTSB concluded that grease was not applied to the forward coupling and that some of the work described as being done was never recorded in records. It also found that the company owner, a rated mechanic, wasn’t present when the drive shaft was removed for maintenance.

NTSB also took the unusual step of faulting the Federal Aviation Administration, the chief regulatory agency for the entire aviation industry. The NTSB noted that “although the FAA was conducting oversight in accordance with their guidance, increased inspections may have uncovered the inadequate maintenance and documentation, which, in turn, might have prevented the accident.”

At the time, the FAA released a statement saying: “Safety is the FAA’s top priority, and the FAA’s air tour regulations include requirements that are specific to Hawaii operations. The agency conducts random and regular surveillance on all Hawaii air tour operators, and ensures companies address any issues we may find.

While we are always looking for possible trends, we have not identified current issues of concern that are applicable to the industry statewide.”

Tour helicopter operations are regulated by the FAA, which sets broad policies and has specific requirements for Hawaii ranging from altitudes at which helicopters can fly and filing of tour flight plans. The state of Hawaii and counties have no regulatory power over the industry.

Numbers Of Flights Growing Rapidly

Hawaii Department of Transportation data, which was provided by the agency to Oahu State Sen. Laura Thielen in July 2019, shows the monthly volume of flights by helicopter tours has been rising steadily in Hawaii since 2010.

In 2005, 17 tour operators statewide supplied data to HDOT showing there were 6,086 tour landings in March of that year. The total dropped to 4,938 for March, 2010 but has since risen to 7,003 in March, 2015 and 8,246 landings in March, 2019. Flight volumes from Lihue Airport on Kauai were the highest in the state.  

Thielen, who represents the Kailua area, has long criticized the impact of tourism flights over neighborhoods and pressed for stronger regulation of the industry.

“It’s common sense that there will be more helicopter accidents when there are large increases in the number of helicopter tours in our skies,” she wrote in an email Wednesday.

“Unregulated helicopter tours are a nuisance and safety issue for people on the ground, a safety issue for the tourists booking flights, and in cases of choppers flying low over the Arizona Memorial and cultural sites in our national and state parks, disrespecting our cultural sites.”

FAA helicopter ownership records frequently make it difficult to determine how many helicopters an individual tour company has in its fleet because so many of the aircraft are leased.

Ownership records show that many helicopters have been owned by several different leasing and tour operators across the country. One helicopter in the crash sequence Civil Beat reviewed, in particular, had logged many years in both Hawaii and Alaska — two of the harshest environments for helicopters in the United States.

Limited ownership records in an FAA database show 14 helicopters in the Paradise Helicopters fleet, 10 in Sunshine Helicopters fleet and five owned by Safari Helicopters, whose craft crashed on Kauai in late December.

 ‘Is The Helicopter Safe To Fly Today?’

Houston helicopter litigation attorney Ryan Macleod said he finds the differences in the safety culture between commercial airlines and helicopter tour operators troubling.

“What you find in the helicopter tour industry is a crucial decision has to be made (on the question): Is this helicopter safe to fly today? They want to keep flying these helicopters. The problem is the helicopter is an incredibly precise machine. When it comes to maintenance, they’re not spotting the red flags. Most of these (helicopter tour operators) are doing in-house maintenance.”

He thinks there needs to be more oversight and regulation of the helicopter companies.

“These conversations can’t just be had in side offices. There needs to be public conversations” about safety issues, he said. “This self-governance of helicopters has to stop.”

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• Helicopter Sightseeing Tours (9)
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Mauna Loa Helicopter Private Tour - Oahu Full Experience Doors On & Off Flights

Available Daily

Pick-up not available, what to expect, why do travelers choose this tour.

• Guaranteed window seats - Enjoy a window seat onboard with either doors on or doors off, perfect for taking photos and gaining a whole new perspective of Oahu’s iconic landmarks. Mauna Loa Helicopters guarantee to showcase spectacular scenery and breathtaking views that are not obtainable by car sightseeing or hiking.
• Best value - You get the same price whether you choose the doors-on or doors-off option. The aircraft accommodates more weight than other models, plus there are lockers before your flight to store your extra belongings.
• Safety record - Mauna Loa has been operating since 2006 with trained professionals and local experts who are also flight instructors and EMS pilots. They perform safety checks and briefing each time before departure.
• Multiple departure times - Choose what time you want to see the Honolulu from up above in the morning or afternoon, between 8:00 AM to 3:45 PM. The skies paint a different scenery each time of the day.
• Guided tour and communication with the pilot - You can push a button during the flight in between the commentary if you have more questions about your destination.

What is the difference between the packages?

• Aircraft: R44
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Maximum of 3 passengers
• Guaranteed window seats
• Commentary by an experienced pilot
• Accommodates children ages 7 years old and above
• In a closed aircraft, you are shielded from wind exposure and you will be able to enjoy the music and narration clearly. It offers a more serene and captivating experience as you take in the breathtaking scenery through the large windows.
• Accommodates children ages 12 years old and above
• Best for passengers looking for the perfect photo opportunities
• The doors-off flight is a more adventurous experience and you will not get the glare from the windows in your pictures. The floor-to-ceiling openings allow you to look straight down to the ocean and mountains. Because the helicopter is open to the elements, you will be exposed to wind and cooler temperatures.

Local expert tips

• Please check in 40 minutes prior to your flight time. Each passenger’s exact weight includes shoes, all clothing, and personal belongings including camera equipment and purses.
• What to wear: On a doors-on flight, please wear dark outer layers to minimize reflection in the windows when you take photos. For doors-off flights, please wear a windproof jacket or any warm outer layer that has zippers. Avoid wind-susceptible clothing such as dresses and hooded items. In the winter, please wear long pants. Eyeglasses are also permissible on the flight.
• Best time of the day to fly: Typically, the morning conditions are more favorable than in the afternoon for the best viewing experience.
• Best time to visit: Spring and summer offer the best climate for an aerial tour as Hawaii has plenty of sunshine at this time.

Aircraft information

Seating arrangement, restrictions.

• Total weight restriction per person cannot exceed 275lbs and the total weight group cannot exceed 650lbs. All passengers plus carry-on items will be weighed at check-in.
• You may bring your personal belongings on the aircraft as long as they are lightweight and can be stored under the seat.
• For doors-off flights, cameras and all other gadgets must be secured to a wrist strap or neck strap. Cell phones are permitted for picture-taking but must be set to airplane mode. Earrings should be taken off for maximum comfort while wearing headsets.

How to get there?

Doors-on flight package.

Price per Adult :

Doors-OFF Flight Package

Check-in at Mauna Loa Helicopter Office

Set out on the ultimate Oahu helicopter ride with the doors on or off, and as you take flight from the heliport, take in all of the amazing views that the island has to offer. Soar over the towns of Waikiki and Honolulu, and the natural wonders of towering waterfalls and ancient volcanic craters.

Transportation add-ons

Pick-up/check-in time & location.

Drop-off/Check-out Time & Location

Start time :

Important activity information

• Guests with asthma or other respiratory problems are not permitted to participate in this activity.
• Guests with heart and cardiovascular issues are not permitted to participate in this activity.
• Guests must be below 275 lbs (125 kg) to participate in this activity.
• Total group weight cannot exceed 620 lbs. If the weight exceeds this limit during the pre-flight weigh-in, the flight will be canceled with no refund.
• Children 7 years old and above can participate in this activity.

Other requirements

• Please call the activity provider the day before to reconfirm your booking. Your voucher has the necessary contact information listed.
• Participants are required to sign a liability waiver at the time of check-in.
• Minors are required to have a parent or guardian sign their liability waiver.
• Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
• All adult guests will have their government issued photo I.D. checked at the time of check-in, and at least one must match the credit card used at the time of booking. If none match, your booking will be cancelled and no refund will be provided.

Booking requirements (# of participants, vehicles, hours, etc.)

• You can book a minimum of 2 and maximum of 3.

Required items to bring & attire

• Guests should not wear earrings so that the headset fits comfortably.
• Guests with long hair will need to secure their hair in a ponytail, braid, or a bun.

Additional notes

• The activity schedule is subject to change or cancellation due to weather or traffic conditions.
• The activity provider does not assume any responsibility for your valuables and/or personal belongings.
• The tour guide has full discretion to refuse service to customers based on attire, behavior, physical fitness and condition.
• Gratuity is not included in the price.
• Complimentary parking available.
• Should the pilot have to land for an unexpected reason such as but not limited to motion sickness or bathroom needs the passengers will be charged an additional $200.00.
• Guests who are sick inside the helicopter during flight will be charged a $100 cleaning fee. If you are prone to air or motion sickness please request an “Aloha Bag” from the pilot prior to takeoff or during the flight.
• The activity provider reserves the right to cancel any tour due to unsafe weather conditions. If the flight has begun and must be canceled due to weather within 10 minutes of takeoff, you will be refunded in full. If the flight has exceeded 10 minutes, you will be refunded for the amount of time that did not take place.

• Children 12 years old and above can participate in this activity.
• No loose items are allowed on the flight, and cameras and all other gadgets must be secured with a wrist or neck strap.
• Guests must wear shoes that are secured, and no flip-flops are allowed.
• It can become quite chilly during the flight, so dress warmly.

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• Any cancellations made after 12:00 local time, 2 business days prior to the activity will be subject to a charge of 100% of the total amount.
• Any changes made after 12:00 HST, 2 business days prior to the activity will be subject to a charge of 100% of the total amount. This includes but is not limited to, changes in the activity date/time, package, the number of participants, etc.

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Live Your Aloha - Hawaii Tours, Cruises & Activities

Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours – A Complete Review

Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours is one of the premier helicopter tour companies in Hawaii offering private sightseeing tours over  Kauai since 2006. One of the very best private helicopter tours in the Hawaiian Islands to offer a full Kaua’i experience, the Mauna Loa Helicopters Tours is known for its impeccable safety record, highly professional certified instructors and pilots, ultra-reliable Robinson helicopters , and giving customers an incredible, magical experience during their Hawaiian vacation.

Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours began as a helicopter flight training school over 20 years ago. It’s certified flight instructors have been producing some of the best helicopter tour pilots in Hawaii ever since. Mauna Loa Helicopters pilots are highly skilled and prioritize operational safety. They are also very knowledgeable about the natural terrain, local landmarks, natural wonders, and other unique aspects of Kauai, as well as Oahu and the Big Island (two other island tours offered by Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours).

There are so many amazing places to see across Kauai, Oahu, and Hawaii. Mauna Loa Helicopter Tour offers up to 12 chartered tours across these three islands, giving you the chance to see many of the sites mentioned thus far.

To make things easy, we’ve selected a single unique tour from each of the three islands, giving you a complete experience (including the Kauai Experience). Check out the listings below for more details:

MOST POPULAR

The Kauai Experience

• Length: 1 hour
• Location : Kauai
• Occupancy: Minimum 2 passengers (single passengers call for options)
• Weight requirements: Maximum 275 lbs. per person or 650 lbs. per group
• Age Requirements: Minimum age is 7 years old (Door ON only). Minimum age is 12 year old for the Doors OFF option.
• Options: Doors ON or OFF per individual request; 24 hour cancellation
• Price: Starting at $325 per person

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PRIVATE VIP TOUR

The Oahu Experience

• Location: Oahu
• Occupancy: All tours are private and require the minimum of 2 passengers and allow the maximum of 3 passengers (of the same family group only)
• Options: Guaranteed window seats / highly customizable flight for professionals
• Price : Starting at $336 per person

VOTED #1 BY TRAVEL CHANNEL

The Big Island Spectacular

• Length: 1 Hour 45 Minutes
• Location: Big Island
• Occupancy: 6 passengers
• Weight requirements : Block seat (240+ lbs)
• Age Requirements: No restrictions
• Options: Helicopter landing, Front seat, Block seat
• Price: Starting at $649 per person

The Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours Experience

Though they have been operating for just 13 years, their commitment to customer satisfaction is unparalleled. The staff at Mauna Loa are friendly and affectionate.

Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours are known for providing a luxury experience to their customers. Their highly reliable and energy-efficient helicopters are designed in such a way that each flyer is assured to get a window seat.

Mauna Loa Helicopters is proud to make each helicopter tour (from one of their three island bases) a spectacular and personalized experience for the whole family. During each helicopter flight, the certified flight instructors / pilot provide an informative narration of the journey accompanied by music of your choice.

This is possible because they have small and energy-efficient VIP helicopters that can accommodate a maximum of four passengers. This creates a private and cordial atmosphere. You can choose to go solo, couple or with a small group (see detailed listings above).

The price range for their flights are very reasonable (see detailed listings above). Each chartered tour has specific customizable options. Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours is located at Lihue airport in Kauai (with island bases in Oahu and Hawaii). They offer flights from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (Monday – Saturday).

You can choose to go early in the morning and enjoy the cool breeze along with the beautiful scenery or just ride in the afternoon to catch a glimpse of the island under the bright sunlight. Both times will provide an incredible experience. Motion sickness not included.

Now let’s check out the three main islands that this spectacular tour company operates chartered flights from:

Kaua’i

Kauai ( The Garden Isle ), fourth largest of the Hawaiian Islands, is a 560 square mile slice of heaven on Earth. Its majestic beauty and incredible topography are unlike anything on the planet – a perfect backdrop for offering private sightseeing tours that will change your perspective of the world. This is the place where Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours has earned their reputation.

The island of Kauai is the picture-perfect presentation of a secluded prehistoric landscape, practically untouched by man, and teeming with biodiversity and lush landscapes. In fact, Kauai is the oldest landmass in Hawaii, having been formed by volcanic activity over the “Hawaiian hotspot” about five million years ago.

Ancient folklore has it that the island was named after the son of the legendary Hawai’iloa, the fisherman and navigator who discovered Hawaii long ago.

Kauai is shaped by two flank calderas alongside a wide summit caldera. The island is so old that Cenozoic fossils have been discovered on Kauai. There’s no wonder that the film Jurassic Park was shot through Kauai’s Waimea Canyon.

Being a tropical island, the Garden Isle is mostly humid with stable weather conditions throughout the year. Average annual precipitation is very high (ranging from 20 to 50 inches across). A temperate climate means average annual temperatures are from the low-70’s to low-80’s Fahrenheit. At higher elevations, temperatures go from the 40’s to 60’s (and 30’s to 40’s in the winter).

Here are some of the magnificent locations across Kauai that you can experience with a private helicopter ride through Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours:

Waimea Canyon State Park

Exclusive helicopter tours that fly you through the “Grand Canyon of The Pacific”. Waimea Canyon is situated on the western side of Kauai and was formed by deep incision of the Waimea River from the accumulated rainfall coming off Mount Waialeale.

Waimea Canyon is known for its reddish soil overlapped by lush greenery, scenic hiking trails, and gorgeous waterfalls.

Mount Waialeale

Waiʻaleʻale means “rippling” or “overflowing water”. This is because the peak of this shield volcano (the second highest point in Kauai) is one of the wettest spots on Earth.

This remarkable volcano is known for being lush and filled with waterfalls around its caldera. Inside the crater of Mt. Waialeale is the famous “Wall of Tears” – very narrow streams of water cascading vertically down the steep sides of the mountain side. Of course, you can only witness this truly unique natural phenomenon from one of the private helicopter tours offered by a great pilot for Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours.

• Na Pali Coast

The Na Pali Coast extends for about 16 miles along the northwest shore of Kauai. It is home to the majestic Na Pali Coast State Park at the foot of the Kalalau Valley. ‘Nā pali’ stands for “high cliffs” and not without reason. The sharp and rugged high cliffs along the Na Pali shoreline are among the most incredible on the planet (reaching up to 4,000 ft. above sea level).

The unbroken formation of rugged cliffs look down on the ocean like giant cathedrals, with dozens of sharp and shadowy ridges, making the Na Pali Coast one of the greatest locations for professional landscape photographers in the world.

Imagine taking in the entire Na Pali coastline on one of these exclusive private helicopter tours! It’s totally worth it.

Kauai is truly one of the greatest islands in Hawaii to go on a helicopter tour. Whether it’s the Waimea Canyon, Mount Waialeale, or the Na Pali Coast, you will have a magical personalized experience that you’ll never forget.

Let’s check out two other locations for which Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours has recently opened up private charter tour operations on island bases in O’ahu and Hawai’i:

O’ahu

Oahu, also known as the Gathering Place, is considered the heart and soul of the Hawaiian Islands. Oahu is Hawaii’s melting pot and where East meets West. It is the ancestral homeland of the Kingdom of Oahu and has been inhabited for over 1,700 years. Today, Oahu is home to the state’s capital Honolulu, a major commercial hub of Hawaii.

There are all sorts of places to see by flight in Oahu.

The North Shore includes the coast between Ka’ena Point and Kahuku Point. The legendary North Shore is known for its world-class surfing waves at Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach.

Oahu is also where the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor is located. Kualoa Ranch, Waikiki Beach, Hanauma Bay, Iolani Palace, and Diamond Head are just some of the dozens of exciting locations found around the entire island.

Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours now offers private chartered flights so you can capture these breathtaking views of some of Hawaii’s most beautiful beaches and landscapes, while taking amazing pictures you will cherish forever.

Hawai’i

The “Big Island” of Hawaii was formed by the eruption of five distinct shield volcanoes. Mauna Loa and Kilauea are still active volcanoes. Hawaii is the largest island in the United States and Polynesia.

Hawaii is a geographically diverse landmass with eleven recognized climate zones. Popular for it’s amazing beaches (e.g. black sand), volcanism, natural reserves, tropical rainforests, parks, and cascading waterfalls, Hawaii is truly a sight to behold from a bird’s eye view.

One of the most popular hotspots in Hawaii is the Kona Coast (divided by the North and South Kona Districts) on the leeward side of the Big Island. Kona Coast is where the Ironman World Championship is held each year. It also features three state and national historic parks: Kealakekua Bay, Honaunau, and Kaloko-Honokohau.

Now let’s dive deeper into what each chartered tour has to offer:

The Kaua’i Experience

This is what makes a Mauna Loa helicopter tour operations so unique! They specialize in bringing the majesty of Kauai to anyone willing to go on an adventure of a lifetime. You will get to witness the grandeur of Waimea Canyon, Mount Waiale’ale, and the Na Pali Coast from the clear blue skies.

The Kauai Experience helicopter tour is one of the most amazing sightseeing journeys you will ever partake in. Get swept away for around an hour over the rugged coastline of Na Pali, the vivid gorges of Waimea, and the prehistoric landscape that made ‘Jurassic Park’ come to life on the big screens.

Let a Mauna Loa Helicopters tour allow you to experience the Garden Isle in the most perfect way: privately and personally.

Highlights:

• Waimea Canyon
• Manawaiopuna Falls
• Mt. Waiale’ale Crater

Oahu Pro Photography Flight

Calling all professional nature and landscape photographers! This is your chance to partake in a magnificent aerial photo helicopter tour of all the best landmarks on the island of Oahu.

Even if you aren’t a professional photographer, this tour is guaranteed to give you some of the best views (and photos) of Hawaii in the world. You will be taking dozens of photos of the fabled North Shore, black sand beaches, breathtaking cascades of water, and lush forests.

First you visit Honolulu where you will board the small and ultra-reliable Robinson helicopter before taking flight to see famous landmarks like the Sacred Falls, Stairway to Heaven, Three Peaks, and Jurassic Valley.

Put on your favorite individually selected soundtrack, bring your sunglasses , and immerse yourself in one of the highest quality photographic experiences in the world (without distractions).

• Sacred Falls through the Pali
• Three Peaks of Mt. Olomana
• Jurassic Valley
• Ha’iku Stairs (The Stairway to Heaven)
• Sandbar at Kaneohe

Kona Sunset Experience

A journey is never complete without an amazing sunset. Get a chance to witness one of the most majestic sunsets on the planet as you soar in a small helicopter across the Kona coast of the Big Island of Hawai’i during “golden hour”.

People all over the world picture amazing sunsets when they dream of Hawaii. Witness this dream come to life over the Kona coast. The Kona Sunset Experience helicopters tours are truly remarkable (and affordable)!

You begin your 30 minute flights from Kona Airport near the coastline during the famed “Golden Hour”. Be mesmerized by an incredible array of colors gradually permeating the sky as you end your day with an unforgettable image of beauty.

Final Thoughts

You won’t find many other companies that can offer such a completely unique experience across the most alluring topography of Kauai, Oahu, and Hawaii. With an impeccable safety record, Mauna Loa Helicopters and their top-notch pilots will elevate you to unbelievable remote locations untouched by man.

There are so many things to do in Kauai . Discover the incredible beauty that is waiting for adventure seekers like you. Guaranteed window seats (for amazing photo opportunities) and an included doors-off option for many of the chartered tours are available.

Mauna Loa Helicopter tours are completely private if you desire. At your choice, you can fly with up to 2-3 other passengers with our without doors. Window seats are always guaranteed at no additional cost. Professional pilots offer personal narration and intimate knowledge of the surroundings as you listen to your own selected music on a journey of awe-inspiring beauty.

Find out why a Mauna Loa Helicopter Tour has been highly recommended by Lonely Planet Hawaii and TripAdvisor .

Mauna Loa Helicopters offers flight departures from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (Monday – Saturday).

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Aloha! I’m Katalina M. I’m a PADI Certified Scuba Instructor and I’m responsible for writing about scuba & snorkeling trips based on my experience as a scuba diving expert in Hawaii. I grew up in a small town on the east coast, but I’ve called Hawaii home for the past five years. It’s an amazing place to live – there’s always something new to explore, and the people are incredibly friendly and welcoming. When I’m not swimming or diving, you can usually find me enjoying Hawaiian nightlife and culture. Mahalo for reading!

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Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours – Big Island

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Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours is an exciting helicopter tour outfit with locations on three Hawaiian islands. Their Big Island location flies out of the Kona International Airport and offers guests some really exciting advantages over their competitors, including smaller, more efficient helicopters that a party can have all to themselves.

The team behind Mauna Loa Helicopters Tour first started taking guests into the skies above Kauai back in 2006. Their special aloha spirit and fantastic flying experience (prior to 2006, the company began and operated as a flight training school; they still offer flight training under a different moniker) lent them to easily expanding operations, with them now offering exciting helicopter tours from Oahu and the Big Island as well. This review is specifically for Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours’ Big Island location.

Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours on the Big Island of Hawaii launch out of the Kona International Airport. Due to it being a major airport, getting here by car, bus, or resort shuttle is a breeze. This location just north of Kailua-Kona also puts it around many other exciting attractions and premier dining locations, offering a nice day adventure for those who are traveling here from another part of the island.

This Big Island helicopter tour outfitter is still relatively new to this location, but there are several outstanding reasons why you might choose them over a company with more history on this island. Most notably, as the company started as a flight school, it has remained a helicopter tour outfitter that consistently prioritizes flight experience and diligence in training. All of their pilots have significant experience adeptly flying helicopters and are well-versed in every necessary safety protocol. If you have any members of your tour that are a bit nervous about flying in such a small type of aircraft, then this is the exact tour and pilots you want for your adventure over the Big Island of Hawaii. 

Another key reason to choose Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours – Big Island over a competitor is due to their advanced fleet of flying machines. All of the helicopter tours offered by this group take place in small, efficient helicopters that seat generally no more than four. Their choice of helicopters affords guests several fantastic benefits. First, you won’t be sharing the tour with any other party, it’s just you and your group. Second, everyone gets a window seat, offering continually amazing views. And finally, larger tour outfitters with larger helicopters sometimes will need to complete a 15-minute refueling mid-way on the tour. The smaller, energy-efficient helicopters Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours offers have no such restrictions. 

In regard to what type of helicopter tour to take with this company, you have options! The most popular include:

Big Island Experience This two-hour helicopter tour takes guests on a thrilling ride around the entirety of the Big Island. You will fly right over Kilauea, the most active volcano in the world, soar along the Hamakua and Gold coastlines, and thread your way deep into the island’s inner valleys where you can catch sight of 2,000 foot crashing waterfalls.

Magical Waterfall Tour At 75 minutes long, this is a shorter tour but it focuses on getting passengers up close and personal to more fantastic waterfalls on the Big Island. You will explore seven of Kohala’s windward valleys and partake in some truly incredible waterfalls and ocean vistas. 

Insider Tips: -Mauna Loa Helicopters has a surprisingly very lenient cancelation policy. You can cancel or change your tour up to 24 hours prior to launch without incurring a fee. We recommend taking advantage of this and checking the weather as close to this time of scheduling to avoid going out on a windy or rainy day that might limit how close to certain attractions the pilot can get you.  -When booking you will see a minimum seat requirement, which is the minimum booking requirement. In other words, you can travel as a party of one or two but will need to pay for a vacant third seat. This does make Mauna Loa Helicopters overall a more expensive option compared to their competitors, but it also affords those luxuries of having a helicopter all to yourself and getting to choose the best seat without worry.

Adventure Tours Hawaii

Mauna loa helicopter tours - big island.

Mauna Loa Helicopters has been offering private sightseeing tours over Kauai since 2006, and recently expanded to offer tour operations from our island bases on Oahu and the Big Island. Along with our impeccable safety record, we take pride in making each tour a spectacular, personalized experience. We exclusively use the incredibly reliable and energy efficient Robinson helicopters.

Mauna Loa Helicopters started out as a flight training school and has been training professional helicopter pilots for 22 years. As a result, all of our pilots are highly trained and have years of experience flying over Hawaii’s varied terrain, and navigating its uniquely diverse weather conditions. They are also Certified Flight Instructors, especially skilled and current in safety operations. Because of this blend of skills, they are a great source of information about not only local landmarks, but also the operation of helicopters, and the unique aspects of life in Hawai’i. During your flight, each pilot provides a personal narration accompanied by an individually selected soundtrack.

Kona International Airport - 73310 Uu Street Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Tours By: Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours - Big Island

Big island private vip helicopter tour, big island private waterfall helicopter tour, private kona coast helicopter tour.

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Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Helicopter Flight School Training

Mauna Loa Helicopters is an FAA Part 141 flight school with bases on two of the Hawaiian islands: Oahu and the Big Island of Hawaii. Mauna Loa also conducts tour operations on the island of Kauai. Hawaii offers convenient flight practice areas, uncongested airspace, favorable weather conditions and best of all, one of the most dynamic helicopter training environments in the world. From mountains up to 13,796 feet (4,200 meters), to constantly changing weather conditions, an active volcano, ridge and valley flying and a place to learn busy airspace (Honolulu International is the nation’s 11th busiest airport), you’ll find that Hawaii offers you an exceptional place for your helicopter training experience. Plus, your stay here will create memories that will last a lifetime.

An Ideal Setting to Excel

Here, we fly year round.  Hawaii offers an amazing climate: our average daytime temperatures are in the low eighties (30 degree C) in the summer and the mid-seventies in the winter. The weather here is just about ideal. Mauna Loa Helicopters is one of the few helicopter training schools that can offer Instrument, Instrument Instructor and Airline Transport Pilot Courses as well as External load training. We have all the amenities of the largest pilot training schools and yet maintain a personal level of instruction that makes smaller schools so special.

Fixed wing or rotary

For those looking to fly fixed-wing aircraft, we offer a number of certifications for you as well.

Whether you're looking to earn your private certificate, multi-engine certification, or a commercial certificate, our fleet of aircraft can teach you what you need to excel.

Learn to fly these aircraft above beautiful Hawaii, in the most complete training environment possible.

Our Reputation

The school actively assists career-minded students in finding that all-important first job. We have been fortunate in that the school’s reputation has been built over the years by virtue of the competence and professionalism of our graduate instructors. The helicopter industry is relatively small and employers have taken note of our track record.

Mauna Loa Helicopters conducts its training programs on an individual basis, and as your schedule permits. We are open seven days a week and you may train as quickly or leisurely as you wish. Call us with any questions you may have. Enrolling in a flight training program is a big step and we’re happy to help you sort out what makes the most sense for you.

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Mauna Loa Volcano Experience

Mauna Loa is among Earth's most active volcanoes, previously erupting 33 times since its first well-documented historical eruption in 1843!

Starting at $549

Activity  level , experience .

Mauna Loa is among Earth's most active volcanoes, previously erupting 33 times since its first well-documented historical eruption in 1843! Fly at a safe distance to see the incredible view from a birds eye perspective, the only way to see the activity to date. THE MOST EPIC EXPERIENCE EVER! That’s what many of our guests say about seeing an active volcano by air.

*Guests must be at least 7 years of age

Flight  Details 

Tour departs from.

*Flight times are approximate, do not include check-in time, and total times may vary depending on weather conditions and where the best sights are at the time of your tour.

• Mauna Loa Volcano Eruption

Window Seat

Request a seat next to the window

Co-Pilot Seat

Request a seat up front with the pilot.

Carbon Offset

Green your seat by helping to plant endemic trees in Hawai'i

For Answers to common questions please read our FAQ.

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Check-in  at  our  Kona  Airport 

Our Kona base is located at the commuter terminal area of the airport by Mokulele.

Self-Pay parking is available.

Check-in 45 minutes prior to departure time at our Kona base at the Kona Airport.