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IFR LOFT Scenario

LOFT: Honolulu to Hilo

Route: HNL → ITO

Hawaiian inter-island IFR with oceanic procedures, volcanic terrain, and tropical weather.

View FAA WINGS activity on FAASafety.gov →

Scenario Overview

Hawaiian inter-island IFR flight from Honolulu to Kona with oceanic procedures, volcanic terrain considerations, and tropical weather. The pilot must manage over-water navigation, tropical convective weather, and arrival at an airport on the leeward side of volcanic peaks.

FAA WINGS Credit
Master 95350 cr

Complete this LOFT with one of our CFIIs to earn WINGS credit toward your pilot proficiency. Learn more at FAASafety.gov

SIDSTARILSOceanic ProceduresVolcanic TerrainTropical Weather

Route & Flight Plan

PHNL KEOLA V12 UPOLU PHKO
Altitude9,000
Distance163 nm
ETE0:48

ATC Audio Practice

Real ATC recordings from LiveATC. Practice extracting weather from ATIS and copying IFR clearances at real-world cadence. Learn IFR clearance techniques

These are actual recordings from airport frequencies. The weather, routing, and clearances will differ from the planned scenario — the training value is in listening proficiency and ATC communication cadence.

ATIS

PHNL ATISPHNL1:30
0:00/1:30

Honolulu International ATIS — tropical oceanic weather with trade wind conditions for inter-island departure

IFR Clearances

HNL → ITO IFR ClearancePHNL0:30
0:00/0:30

Hawaiian inter-island clearance — maintain at or above 9,000 until past UPOLU. Practice copying altitude restrictions tied to specific fixes on oceanic routes

Airport Information

Departure
PHNL
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport
Honolulu, HI
Elevation: 13 ft MSL
Runways
RWYLengthSurface
8L/26R12,360 ftasphalt
8R/26L12,000 ftasphalt
4R/22L9,002 ftasphalt
4L/22R6,955 ftasphalt
Frequencies
ATIS127.9
GND121.9
TWR118.1
APP118.3
Approaches
ILS RWY 4R, ILS RWY 8L, ILS RWY 8R, ILS RWY 26L, RNAV GPS RWY 4L, RNAV GPS RWY 4R, RNAV GPS RWY 8L, RNAV GPS RWY 26R
Destination
PHKO
Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport
Kailua-Kona, HI
Elevation: 51 ft MSL
Runways
RWYLengthSurface
17/3511,000 ftasphalt
Frequencies
ATIS127.4
GND121.9
TWR120.3
APP118.45
Approaches
ILS RWY 17, RNAV GPS RWY 17, RNAV GPS RWY 35, VOR RWY 17, VOR RWY 35

Weather Scenario

Trade wind conditions with orographic lifting on the windward sides of the islands generating convective activity. Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa (13,000+ feet) create dramatic weather differences between windward and leeward sides of the Big Island. The PHKO TAF shows thunderstorms developing in the 1800-1900Z window from sea breeze convergence. The pilot must navigate around the volcanic peaks and manage the developing convective weather on arrival.

Departure 08:00L (1800Z)PHNLVFR
PHNL 141800Z 06012KT 10SM FEW025 SCT040 BKN100 26/20 A3002 RMK AO2 SH SE
Typical trade wind conditions, scattered clouds, showers to the southeast
Arrival 08:50L (1850Z)PHKOVFR
PHKO 141850Z 18008KT 7SM FEW020 SCT045 BKN080 28/22 A2998 RMK AO2 TCU NE
Warm and humid, scattered clouds, towering cumulus to the northeast over Mauna Kea
Updated 09:15L (1915Z)PHKOMVFR
PHKO 141915Z 22012G20KT 4SM TSRA SCT018 BKN035 OVC060 27/23 A2994 RMK AO2 TSB10 LTG DSNT NE
Thunderstorm with rain has developed, visibility dropped to 4 miles, gusty sea breeze

Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts

DeparturePHNL
TAF PHNL 141130Z 1412/1512 06010KT P6SM FEW025 SCT040 BKN100 FM141500 07012KT P6SM FEW020 SCT035 FM141800 07014KT P6SM FEW020 SCT030 TEMPO 1418/1502 5SM SHRA FEW018 BKN035 FM150200 06010KT P6SM FEW025 SCT045 FM150800 05008KT P6SM FEW030
En RoutePHOG
TAF PHOG 141130Z 1412/1512 05008KT P6SM FEW025 SCT050 FM141500 06010KT P6SM FEW020 SCT040 BKN080 FM141800 06012KT 7SM FEW018 SCT035 BKN070 TEMPO 1418/1502 5SM SHRA BKN030 FM150200 05010KT P6SM FEW025 SCT050 FM150800 05008KT P6SM FEW030
ArrivalPHKO
TAF PHKO 141130Z 1412/1512 18006KT P6SM FEW020 SCT045 BKN080 FM141500 18008KT 7SM FEW020 SCT040 FM141800 20010KT 6SM FEW018 SCT035 BKN060 TEMPO 1418/1502 4SM TSRA SCT015 BKN030CB PROB30 1419/1501 3SM +TSRA BKN020CB FM150200 20008KT P6SM FEW025 SCT050 FM150800 18006KT P6SM FEW030

Lesson Profile

Scenario timeline with phases, altitudes, and key events
PhaseTimeAltitudeEvents
Briefing & Setup0:00-0:15GroundBrief inter-island procedures, over-water requirements, volcanic terrain awareness. Review PHKO approaches and the effect of Mauna Kea/Mauna Loa on weather patterns.
Departure0:15-0:3013-9,000Depart PHNL RWY 8R. Climb over ocean. Contact Honolulu Center. Overwater flight with limited visual references.
Enroute - Oceanic0:30-0:509,000Cruise over Molokai Channel. Trade wind showers along route. Monitor tropical convective activity building near Big Island.
Big Island Approach0:50-1:109,000-5,000Approach Big Island from northwest. Volcanic terrain rises to 13,796 feet (Mauna Kea). Descend for PHKO approach. Thunderstorm developing near field.
Approach & Landing1:10-1:305,000-51ILS RWY 17 at PHKO. Convective weather nearby. Sea breeze crosswind. Turbulence from volcanic terrain effects. Possible deviation for weather.
Debrief1:30-2:00GroundReview oceanic procedures, tropical weather interpretation, volcanic terrain effects on weather. Discuss Big Island microclimate variations.

Post-LOFT Approach Practice

After the LOFT scenario concludes, practice 2 additional approaches for a total of 3 per session. Session is planned for up to 6 approaches — ask your CFII for additional practice.

Approach 2
PHKO
RNAV (GPS) RWY 35
Opposite direction approach; practice in tropical convective conditions with sea breeze crosswind
Approach 3
PHKO
VOR RWY 17
Conventional nav approach as backup to GPS; practice VOR tracking over oceanic terrain

Training Objectives

Proficiency

  • Execute IFR departure over ocean from a major airport
  • Navigate inter-island oceanic airspace
  • Fly the ILS RWY 17 at Kona

Progress

  • Apply over-water IFR procedures for inter-island flying
  • Interpret tropical weather patterns around volcanic terrain
  • Manage fuel for over-water operations with limited alternates

Single-Pilot CRM

  • Communicate with Honolulu Center for oceanic clearance
  • Monitor weather radar for tropical convective activity
  • Plan for limited diversion options during over-water segment

Prepare for Your Session

What over-water equipment and procedures apply to inter-island flights in Hawaii?
Life vests are required for all occupants when beyond gliding distance from shore. An ELT is required. For IFR, you must file and receive an oceanic clearance from Honolulu Center. VHF communication coverage is generally maintained between islands at cruise altitude.
How do Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa affect weather patterns at Kona?
The volcanic peaks (13,796 and 13,681 feet) block trade winds from reaching the Kona coast, creating a rain shadow (leeward side). However, afternoon sea breeze convergence can generate localized thunderstorms near the coast. The peaks also create turbulence and mountain wave on their lee side.
What are the minimum altitudes when flying near the Big Island volcanic peaks?
Mauna Kea reaches 13,796 feet and Mauna Loa 13,681 feet. Airways in the area have MEAs of 9,000-14,000 feet depending on the segment. Terrain clearance requires careful attention to minimum altitudes, especially in IMC.
What tropical weather phenomena should you monitor during Hawaiian inter-island flights?
Trade wind showers (common on windward sides), convective buildup from orographic lifting and sea breeze convergence, volcanic haze (vog) from Kilauea reducing visibility, and Kona storms (rare low-pressure systems from the southwest that reverse the normal weather patterns).
Instructor Notes
This scenario teaches tropical and oceanic IFR operations. The convective weather near Kona at arrival is the primary decision point. Inject the updated weather (thunderstorm) during the oceanic segment and evaluate whether the student re-plans. The volcanic terrain awareness is critical — ensure the student understands why MEAs exist and what happens if they descend below them near the Big Island. The "paradise" setting can mask the real risks of this environment.

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