Maui Aviators: Flight School in Paia, Hawaii

Photos via Google Maps; they belong to their authors.

Location: Paia, Hawaii
School Type: Local flight school
Training Focus: Pilot training
Google Rating: 5.0 (28 reviews)

Call (808) 871-6990 Get Directions Visit Website

Listing data is maintained editorially and confirmed with schools over time. Programs and pricing change; verify details directly before enrolling.

Hours

Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

See It on the Map

What Students and Pilots Say

★★★★★ 4 months ago

We rented a C172 during a vacation to the island. Best day of our trip! Got to see the whole island, some of Lanai and Molaka’i. The waterfalls and black sand beaches in Hana were amazing. The owner John gave us some great ideas of things to check out. Karli was very helpful and responsive getting us set up with a checkout flight and the rental. Their CFI Luis is a smart guy who knows his stuff. The plane fires…
Jessica Bratz via Google

★★★★★ 2 months ago

Had an incredible experience with Maui Aviators during our Maui trip. This is such a unique way to experience the island beyond the usual tourist routes. We flew in a Cessna 172 and got to see some absolutely breathtaking landscapes while island hopping—lush valleys, dramatic coastlines, and even tons of whales in the water. It’s hard to beat that perspective from the air. Lewis was a fantastic instructor. As a pilot…
Sudipta Sen via Google

★★★★★ 9 months ago

Great people to fly with! Every time I come to Maui I make sure to fly with them. Their instructors are great! They’re Calm and chill. Not scared of a nasty costal crosswind, they’ll guide you through it like nothing. My crosswind landing skills have gotten better thanks to them! Can’t wait to fly with them next time!
William via Google

★★★★★ 3 years ago

When I booked my flight, I said to myself, "Wow, a bit pricey, but it's a once in a lifetime experience!" I've changed my mind. I'm going to do this again. Maybe every visit to the islands. It was so worth it. I'm currently a student but should be licensed by the next visit. The winds are real, so be prepared for that. The north and east sides were mostly calm, but flying over Molokini was very abrupt turbulence. …
Herman via Google

Reviews via Google Maps; they belong to their authors and are not our endorsement.

Planning Your Training Here

Planning training at a local school like Maui Aviators trades the academy's speed for flexibility and often meaningfully lower total cost. The pay-as-you-fly model keeps your money in your control, and training two to three lessons weekly around work is the proven rhythm, enough frequency to retain skills without the academy's all-in schedule. The variable to manage is momentum: local-school students who succeed book standing lesson slots, fly year-round, and treat ground study as homework rather than something that happens at the airport. Ask about aircraft scheduling depth, instructor availability on your target days, and examiner wait times in Paia, the three friction points that stretch part-time timelines.

What Flying in Hawaii Teaches You

Hawaii trades continental weather for overwater judgment. Trade winds deliver reliable VFR most of the year, but every cross-country is an ocean crossing between islands, and students learn ditching briefs, wind-line reading, and fuel discipline as first-nature skills. Microclimates stack rain on one ridge and sun on the next, volcanic haze does its own thing, and density altitude works differently when the runway starts at sea level and the terrain doesn't.

How to Evaluate Maui Aviators on Your Tour

Every school on this directory gets the same advice from us, because the fundamentals don't move. Walk the ramp and count how many aircraft are down for maintenance. Ask how many lessons a week they can actually schedule you, and how far out the booking calendar runs. Ask for first-attempt checkride pass rates and how long students wait for an examiner. And keep your money in your control: pay as you fly, or in small blocks with clear refund terms.

Then weigh the location itself. Training in Paia means building your early hours in Hawaii weather and airspace, and both become part of your airmanship. Our school-selection guide covers the full vetting checklist, and the financing page maps scholarships and loans that apply at schools like this one.

Common Questions About Training at Maui Aviators

How long would my training take here?

Part-time students flying two to three lessons weekly typically earn a private certificate in six to twelve months and a commercial certificate in two to three years, with pace set by your calendar and the weather. Consistency decides everything: standing lesson slots beat sporadic bursts by months.

What will it cost, and can I get help paying?

Get Maui Aviators's current rates directly; published numbers age fast in this industry. Nationally, plan on $80,000 to $120,000 from zero time to commercial certificates before instructing pay starts offsetting costs. Our financing guide maps the loans, scholarships, and airline cadet programs that apply here, and several scholarship cycles go undersubscribed every single year.

How should I arrange a visit?

Call ahead and ask for a tour on a normal training day, not a quiet one. Use the directions button above to plan the drive to Paia, arrive early enough to watch ramp operations, and bring the vetting checklist from this page. A school proud of its operation will show you everything; hesitation is itself an answer.

Get Matched

Considering Maui Aviators? Tell us your goal and timeline and we'll line this school up against comparable options near you, with the financing routes and scholarship deadlines that fit. One form, no spam, a real reply within a business day.