May 2018 Student of the Month
Meet Conor Mcdonough, age 25. He currently holds his Private Pilot and is born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii.
What point in your life did you know you wanted to fly helicopters?
I have wanted to fly for as long as I can remember, but after a ride in one of my father’s friends Hughes 500 I knew I wanted to fly helicopters.
What is your favorite helicopter to fly?
I have only flown the R22 and R44 but I like flying the R44 because there’s more power, stability, room, and hydraulics.
What obstacles have you had to overcome to get where you are today?
The two biggest obstacles I have had to overcome are time and money. I did not want to take out a loan for school and this lead to my biggest obstacle of all. To work full time while going to school and still having time to study each and every day.
Where do you hope your training will take you? Goals?
My hope is to become a CFI and be able to help others make their dreams of becoming a helicopter pilot a reality. The ultimate dream is to one day do utility work or search and rescue.
What advice would you give to people just starting out in there training?
My advice would be to stay focused and don’t give up. You will have to make sacrifices and put a lot of time and effort into it but it will pay off more than you can imagine. if you ever feel overwhelmed just remember every pilot has been there and one day you will look back and be glad you stayed focused on the end game. One last thing never forget to have fun and enjoy the ride!!
What has been your favorite experience while flying with MLH?
My favorite experience was flying from Kona to Maui then fueling up and heading to Molokai on the east side of the island along the giant Molokai sea cliffs! When we were passing the sea cliffs there where some high clouds with sun rays shining through into the valley which was unforgettable. We did a quick landing on Molokai and headed to Lanai and cruised along the shoreline where there were a few shipwrecks that we got to check out! We then headed back to Maui for fuel and went along the Eastside of Maui back to Kona airport. It was my longest flight at that time and will be a flight I will never forget.
How did you pick MLH?
I chose MLH because it was close to me and because it could give me the top-notch professional training I know I need to get the jobs I want.
Whats your favorite thing about flying in Hawaii/ at MLH?
My favorite thing about flying in Hawaii is the diversity of places you can fly from lush valleys to volcanos and other islands. My favorite thing about MLH is that it is very professional, everyone has a great attitude and is always willing to help you. At MLH I have always felt welcome and like part of a family.
Are you looking to kickstart your aviation career? You could be our next Student of the Month!