by Jasmine Charlton
When you think of Hawaii, you think paradise. Warm, sunny weather, picturesque beaches and world-renowned surf. From the moment you step off the jet bridge, you are greeted with the smell of fresh flowers and charming Hawaiian music. What most people do not see, are the struggles that residents face to live and flight train, throughout the state.
Pursuing a career as a pilot, unless you come from a family that works in the aviation industry, seems either unattainable or something most locals never consider. Barbers Point Flight School challenges the idea of normal for many Hawaii residents, including myself. Whether you are a military aviator transitioning to civilian life or a kid plane spotting at the end of Lagoon Drive, desperate to know what it feels like to fly. Anything is possible with a “Hiki No” attitude.
In the last decade, the once desolate, former Naval Air Station, has become a breeding ground for opportunity. Flying out of Kalaeloa has offered me both the efficiency of being able to take off and get right into the tasks at hand and the adversity that is crucial in the makings of a good pilot. Learning to land in challenging crosswinds, overwater cross countries, being thrown in with lions flying through busy airspaces. Hawaii offers a unique training ground and a bright alternative to moving out of state for programs double the cost.