The Federal Aviation Administration is part of the United States Department of Transportation. Located in Kahului, Hawaii, on the island of Maui, the agency headquarters is vital to the region. This body has a giant scope of responsibilities, duties, and activities that take place all over the country. Tasks like data collection, research, air traffic, civil fines, and the pilots and supporting employees all fall under the management of this massive entity. The FAA is even responsible for the launch and re-entry of commercial space vehicles and aircraft.
Since Hawaii is an island, aviation has played a vital role in the tourism and trade of this isolated state. The Kahului Airport is a hub for many of the island’s activities and travel. This airport offers several different air tours, including one that takes visitors over the Haleakala National Park. About 4,824 flights are made over this national park in a year alone. The air tours also take flight over Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to two volcanoes. Kilauea is one of the world’s most active volcanoes, giving a once-in-a-lifetime experience to anyone lucky enough to witness it on active days. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is over 500 square miles, so there is plenty to see with an aerial tour.
For the more progressive aviation enthusiast, the Federal Aviation Administration proctors a Drone Pilot Exam. Passing this exam will allow users to remotely pilot unmanned aircraft. This skill is especially useful in places like Hawaii, as drones give access to remote and hard-to-reach parts of the island that visitors may not enjoy otherwise.
If you are traveling to Maui from Honolulu, the Kahului Airport is most likely the first place you will be visiting when you land — with a majority of the airport’s incoming flights originating from Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, providing passengers easy access to the unique features around the area.
The FAA schedules over 16 million flights yearly and juggles as many as 5,400 aircraft in the sky simultaneously during peak operational times. The scale of the Federal Aviation Administration is the result of countless days of effort from Washington to the rest of the country, and the scale is unfathomable. Anyone interested in aviation practices should take the time to visit the FAA headquarters in Maui.
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