Need to know
Area
Waialua
Description
Unlike a helicopter ride, when you soar over Oahu’s North Shore in a sailplane, there’s no engine noise (because there’s no engine) — just the sound of the air and wind rushing over and under the wings. It’s one of the most unique ways to see the island and the views are incredible. It’s as close as you can get to flying like a bird over the Waianae Mountains, the Pacific Ocean, cattle trails, and maybe even wild pigs. During the winter, you might even see humpback whales.
The piloted gliders can carry 1-2 guests and are launched by a towplane. Adrenaline junkies can also opt for an aerobatic ride where they get to experience a loop-d-loop and maybe even a free fall.
Glider rides can be scheduled year round thanks to Oahu’s weather.
Covid Specific
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Masks are required inside the gliders, following Honolulu’s guidelines.
Website
Booking
Book online or call 808-677-3404
**To book a flight in the next 36 hours, you’ll have to call.
Address
Dillingham Air Field
69-132 Farrington Highway
Waialua, HI 96791
Contact Info
808-637-0207
Hours
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Daily ▭ 10am - 5:30pm (and sometimes past 5:30 during the summer when the days are longer)
Price
Pricing depends on type of tour and length
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Scenic 1 Passenger: $85 - $230
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Scenic Two Passenger: $140 - $390
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Aerobatic loop-d-loop: $190 -$299
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“Hands-On” Mini Lesson: $150 - $250
Nearby
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Skydive Hawaii - 3 min drive
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Ka’ena Point Trail - 4 min drive
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Dillingham Ranch - 4 min drive
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Paalaa Kai Bakery — 11 min drive
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ʻĀweoweo Beach Park — 12 min drive
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The Beet Box Cafe — 13 min drive
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Farm to Barn Cafe & Juicery — 13 min drive
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Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck — 13 min drive
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Kono’s Northshore Haleiwa — 14 min drive
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Matsumoto Shave Ice — 15 min drive
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Hale’iwa Beach — 16 min drive
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Ehukai Pillbox Hike — 26 min drive
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Turtle Bay Resort - 36 min drive
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Waikiki — 1 hr drive
Soar over the North Shore in an engine-less glider plane. One of the most unique ways to see the island. They also offer specialty “hands-on” or aerobatic flights.
Honolulu Soaring
GLIDER RIDES
Good to know
PHOTOS
PACKING LIST
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A Good Camera if you’ve got one.
AMENITIES + PERKS
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You can purchase an in-flight video, taped by a GoPro installed in the glider, with live audio and footage of the view.
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All of the Honolulu Soaring pilots are commercially rated, FAA-certified.
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Honolulu Soaring Club has its own maintenance facility. Maintenance inspections are required annually and at intervals of 100 hours of flight time.
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Transportation can be arranged - but not though the website. You have to email mrbill@hawaii.rr.com.
CHECK OUT THE...
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Scenic Glider Tour. Depending on weather conditions and the length of your ride, you can see all of the North Shore and most of the interior of the island including Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head and Honolulu to the South. The sites may include the lush Waianae Mountains with rugged cliffs, cattle and horse trails, panoramic views of Oahu’s world famous North Shore including Waimea Bay, a glimpse of the Satellite Tracking Station at Kaena Point, and colorful windsurfing sails off the beach at Mokuleia.
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“Hands-On” Mini Lesson where you get to do some of the flying. It combines an intro flying lesson with a scenic tour. An FAA certified glider pilot will teach some basic flying maneuvers and you can choose how much of the flying you’d like to do.
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Aerobatic Loop-D-Loop Ride has about 10 minutes of aerial maneuvers where you’ll get to go upside down. You can decide how mild or wild you want it to be. You can choose to float in zero gravity, do a roll, and more.
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Combo Acro RIde combines a little bit of a Mini Flying Lesson with a little bit of acrobatics.
TIPS + TRICKS
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Plan to get there and park at least 15 minutes before your check-in time.
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They have planes that can carry 2 passengers, but heads up that it’s a snug fit. So if you think you’ll want a little breathing room, opt for a solo ride.
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They recommend booking a 30 minute ride and then if you show up and the weather conditions (wind and cloud) are good, you can add on extra time before taking off.
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You can arrange for transportation to get you to Honolulu Soaring, but you can’t do it through the website. You have to email mrbill@hawaii.rr.com.
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If you take TheBus (Route #52), you can arrange for Honolulu Soaring to pick you up in Haleiwa and drop you back afterwards for $10. Be sure to let them know ahead of time.
FYI
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Max passenger weight for single passengers is 260 pounds (118 kg) and max height is 6 ft 5 in (196cm).
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Max combined weight for 2 passengers is 350 pounds.
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Max weight for all acrobatic flights is 205 pounds (92 kg) pounds and max height is 6 ft 1 in (185 cm). They are single passenger only.
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Hands-on and acrobatic flights require the guest’s total communication and comprehension in English.
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Gliders don’t fly in heavy rain or bad weather. Luckily, that only happens a few days a year in Hawaii.
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You cannot fly if pregnant.
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These glider flights are not wheelchair accessible.
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If you miss your check-in time, you won’t get a refund.
KID STUFF
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Age 12 and above only.
DID YOU KNOW?
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It’s the air flowing over their wings that allows gliders to fly. The airflow creates low pressure on the top of the wings. And, the lowered pressure helps support the weight of the glider. It can’t support all the weight, though, so the glider gradually descends — unless it’s flying in lift. By using updrafts or lift, the pilot stays aloft and actually climbs higher.
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Gliders can be launched by auto tow (being towed by a car or ground-vehicle), or by winch, but airplanes are much more efficient. You can’t get very high on auto tow or winch tow. But, the towplane can take the glider as high as the glider pilot likes and take the glider exactly where the pilot wants to go.
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Honolulu Soaring has been around since 1970. Founders and best friends Bill Star and Sam Bleadon had come to Hawaii as recent college graduates. With some financial help from Sam’s dad, they started the business with just one towplane and one glider.
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They’ve always operated from Dillingham Airfield. When they first opened, it was an Air Force Base that had been recently deactivated.
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The Dillingham Airfield runway is 9000 feet long, 75 feet wide, and paved.
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Dillingham Airfield was constructed in 1943 as an Army Air Corp. base. When the Air Force was created after World War II, Dillingham became an Air Force Base. Deactivated in the late 1960s, it was turned over to the U.S. Army and then leased to the State of Hawaii. The State of Hawaii operates and maintains the airfield during the day. However, at sunset the airfield closes to civilian aircrafts and is used by the military, for training helicopter pilots in night operations. Dillingham Airfield has a field elevation of 12 feet, and is also home to active skydiving activity, and assorted general aviation and ultralight craft.
Last Updated 9 / 20 / 21
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