At Tropicbird Flight Service, we love what we do and consider it a privilege to live and fly here. Whether you are pursuing a career in aviation or just want the challenge of earning your wings, this is an awesome place to do it and great people to do it with.
Chief Instructor Pilot, Mike Lauro is a 50-year veteran pilot. The last 30 of these years were spent full time flight instructing with over 8000 hours flight instruction given. Mike was awarded the FAA designated Flight Instructor of the Year for Hawaii in 1999 and again in 2012. He has been an island resident for 30 years with 7 years as a commercial tour pilot in Hawaii. Mike has honorably served our country for 12 years as a U.S. Air Force Captain.
Mitchell Foley is a longtime Big Island, Hawaii resident, living and commuting from the windward Hilo side of the island. Mitch started as a student at Tropicbird where he earned his private pilot, instrument rating, and commercial pilot certificates; and most recently, his CFI certificate.
Mitch has been flying throughout Hawaii for the past 5 years and knows the islands and their unique challenges to pilots very well! He is very sharp, personable and dedicated to the cause of excellence in flight training!
So much so, that the FAA has awarded him Hawaii’s Flight Instructor of the Year 2024.
Send it, Mitch!
Kainoa Lightfoot is a lifelong Big Island resident and professional flight instructor who began his aviation journey in 2023. He completed his flight training at Big Bend Aviation College, earning his Private Pilot, Instrument, Commercial, and additional ratings, where he developed strong technical skills and disciplined decision-making. Kainoa later completed his Certified Flight Instructor training in Oregon, refining his instructional style and professionalism. A proud graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, he brings a deep local connection and a balanced mix of mainland and island experience, emphasizing safety, consistency, and real-world flying skills. Kainoa joined the Tropicbird team back in January of 2026. Welcome aboard Kainoa!
Originally born and raised on the island of Oahu, Trek moved to the Big Island in 2018 to attend the University of Hawaii at Hilo where he earned his Bachelor’s in Aeronautical Science. After a few exploratory flights around Hawaii, Trek went on to attend ATP flight school in the busy skies of Southern California where he earned his Commercial, Instrument, CFI, MEI and CFII ratings.
He is a through and through local boy with the skills, knowledge and passion to get YOU safely into the Hawaiian skies and beyond!
