Certified Flight Instructors

Leadership

Ben Fouts - Designated Examiner

Ben Fouts

President / Designated Examiner

Ben has been a CFI since 1998 and company owner of MLH since 2000. Ben flew for Era Aviation in the Gulf of Mexico from 2001 to 2003, and also worked as a Check Airman for Paradise Helicopters in Kona from 2003-2008. Currently, Ben works full time at Mauna Loa Helicopters.
A woman in a Mauna Loa Aero polo shirt stands in front of an airplane. She is wearing aviator-style sunglasses and smiling.

Alexandra Murdoch-Haig

Assistant Chief Pilot

Alexandra was born and raised on Oahu and has excellent local area knowledge. Her Dad has been a lifelong pilot, but it wasn’t until 2020 that Alex starting taking flight lessons. She quickly worked towards her flight instructor ratings while still working full-time, and has experience both locally and in the continental United States. Alex is passionate about teaching and sharing aviation with others. She volunteers as a pilot for Angel Flight West and is on the board of our Aloha Chapter Ninety-Nines organization. Her dream is to continue to give back and serve as a pilot in the Air National Guard! When Alex is not flying she enjoys surfing, scuba diving, and riding her horse on the north shore.
A man in dark sunglasses leans against the cowling of an airplane

Logan Nagel

Assistant Chief Pilot

Logan took his first intro flight at a young age and ever since then, he knew he wanted to become a pilot. He started taking flying lessons when he was still in high school and got his private pilot's license after he graduated and continued with his training since. Now that he works at Mauna Loa, he is excited to share the joys of aviation with others and to help students reach their goals as well. Besides flying, Logan enjoys riding dirt bikes, target practicing, and sometimes, just simply taking it easy.

Flight Instructors

A smiling man leans across the cowling of an airplane and looks directly at the camera

Justin Wait

Flight Instructor

Justin, a San Diego native, turned his lifelong dream of flying into reality when he started his aviation journey at Montgomery Field (KMYF) in 2020. Training amidst the demanding and busy atmosphere of SoCal TRACON, he developed a passion for IFR flying and dove into the intricacies of the National Airspace System.

With a background as an emergency medical technician, educator, and IT analyst, Justin's diverse skills enhance his role as an aviation professional. His enduring fascination with aviation has guided him to fulfill his dream of making flying a profession, motivating him to assist others in realizing their aviation aspirations.

Outside of aviation, Justin finds fulfillment in baseball, motorsports, playing guitar, cooking, and engaging in artistic pursuits such as drawing and painting. His commitment to aviation is seamlessly woven into his dedication to helping others achieve their flying dreams.

A man smiles and gives the shaka sign while leaning against an airplane

Kyle Hawkins

Flight Instructor

Born and raised in the Islands, growing up I have always loved flying and seeing the world from a Birds Eye view. Feeling the wheels leave the ground on an airplane is the most surreal experience. The thing I love most about aviation is that 1 mile of road will take you 1 mile, and 1 mile of runway will take you anywhere! The thing I love about flying in Hawaii is that it offers such a remarkable/unique experience offered nowhere else!

Want to Become a Flight Instructor?

Mauna Loa Aero is looking for highly motivated flight instructors. If you want to teach students to fly at a premier flight school, go to our careers page to learn more!