When Aislynn Mandaloniz reached 1,500 flight hours, she crossed a milestone every pilot recognizes. The number signals eligibility for commercial airline flying and marked the culmination of years of discipline, sacrifice and belief in a childhood dream that began on Hawaiʻi Island.
Mandaloniz noted that reaching this milestone opens the door to airline opportunities, often starting as a first officer with a regional carrier, but the path comes with sacrifices: missing family events and holidays is part of the reality of pursuing a career in aviation.
A Hilo native and graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, Mandaloniz is the first woman from UH Hilo’s aeronautical science program to complete flight training and earn a pilot’s license, a milestone in a field where women remain underrepresented.
“1,500 is the magic number in everyone’s aviation career,” Mandaloniz told Aloha State Daily, describing the time-building phase as both slow and fast at once.
In one year, Mandaloniz relocated multiple times across the Mainland and U.S. territories to pursue flying opportunities, completing each move on her own. She said adaptability and a strong support system, including family back home in Hawaiʻi, helped her stay focused through long days of training and study.
When motivation wavered, Mandaloniz said she returned to the dream she held as a child, remembering a time when flying felt distant and appreciating that she was living it, even during the most difficult moments.
Aviation remains a male-dominated profession, but Mandaloniz said she has never felt diminished by colleagues. She credits both male mentors and the women she has worked alongside with helping her progress, emphasizing that her achievement builds on the efforts of those who came before her.
“I am only here by the work of those before my time,” she said.
Mandaloniz’s path began in Hilo, where early exposure to aviation shaped her goals. She interned at Hilo International Airport and said growing up on the Big Island showed her that opportunities exist in small communities for those willing to seek them out.
A pivotal moment came when she met Hawaiian Airlines Capt. Dave Kojima of Hilo, the first pilot she ever spoke with. She said the conversation made a career in aviation feel attainable.
She also credited Waiākea High School and Tropic Bird Flight School in Kona, where she earned her private pilot’s license, for laying a strong foundation. She later enrolled in UH Hilo’s aeronautical science program, which launched in 2020, allowing her to pursue an aviation degree while remaining at home.
Mandaloniz completed the program in three years while balancing coursework, employment and flight training. She described the period as exhausting but formative, noting that the dedication required continues to shape her work ethic.
She said flight training is often misunderstood, particularly by those drawn to aviation by the promise of future earnings. The process demands resilience and passion beyond financial motivation, she said, and the lifestyle includes time away from family and missed milestones.
For local students, Mandaloniz offered encouragement. She urged them not to let cost or doubt stand in the way and to believe in themselves during evaluations and check rides.
“You’re going to make it,” she said.
Looking ahead, Mandaloniz hopes her experience encourages more women and Hawaiʻi-born students to pursue aviation. She said UH Hilo provides a strong foundation for expanding horizons while remaining grounded in home.
“I’ll never forget where I come from,” she said.
Mandaloniz expressed deep gratitude to her mother, acknowledging that her journey would not have been possible without her love and support.
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