Quality Score
Good
Base (15) + components above = 71
About
Tropicbird Flight Service is a flight training school located at Kona International Airport on the Big Island of Hawaii. Offering private pilot, instrument rating, commercial pilot, and CFI training under FAA Part 61, the school operates a fleet of well-maintained aircraft including a Diamond DA-20, Cessna 172, and Cessna 182. With consistently flyable weather year-round and experienced local instructors, Tropicbird also offers an Island Adventure Flying Course for visiting pilots.
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diamond DA20 C1 (Eclipse) (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $95 – $370/hr | $6,500 – $25,900 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $55 – $210/hr | $2,200 – $8,825 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $55 – $210/hr | $1,050 – $4,200 |
| Estimated Total Range | $9,700 – $38,900 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at Tropicbird Flight Service is estimated to cost $9,700 – $38,900. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
No, Tropicbird Flight Service operates under Part 61. Training is self-paced: you and your instructor set the curriculum rather than following a pre-approved syllabus. The FAA minimum for a Private Pilot Certificate under Part 61 is 40 flight hours, though most students need 60 to 70.
No, Tropicbird Flight Service does not have a Designated Pilot Examiner on staff. When you're ready for your checkride, you'll need to book with an independent DPE. Ask the school if they can point you to one nearby.
Tropicbird Flight Service's training fleet includes the Cessna 182S (Skylane), Cessna 172M (Skyhawk), and Diamond DA20 C1 (Eclipse). Having multiple types in the fleet keeps your training on track if one plane is down for maintenance. Ask the school about current availability and any additional charges per aircraft.
Yes, Tropicbird Flight Service has the following flight training device: PFC CR-12 /equipment/model_variant (/equipment/marketing_name). Ask the school which ratings the device count toward and how many hours you can log.
No, Tropicbird Flight Service does not charge a fuel surcharge. The published rental rates are your actual hourly cost.