Tropical Biplanes: Our Pilots




Tropical Biplane's owner-pilots, Kevin and Jim, are highly experienced aviation professionals with combined experience exceeding 15,000 hours in the air. Their goal is to bring you the safest, smoothest — and most enjoyable — aerial sightseeing experience the island of Kaua'i has to offer.







	Kevin V. Britt
	I can't remember a time in my life when I didn't want to fly. I have been very lucky to have had airline and military pilots teach me the in and outs of flying and mechanics who spent time showing me how the airplanes that I would be flying worked. My uncle, a Navy and airline pilot, gave me my first ride in a biplane at age 16.

	I proceeded to fly and own a variety of aircraft, all meant to broaden my flying skills, from Cessna 152's,172's, 206's, 208's, 310's, 402's to an AT6, Luscombe 8e, Piper Cubs and Piper Chieftains.

	To live and fly in Hawaii, was once only a dream, but on October 18, 1989, it became a reality — we had just bought an airplane sightseeing company Fly Kauai on the island of Kaua'i. In the course of 21 years of flying, I have spent 14 years and 6000+ hours flying in and around the Hawaiian Islands, under Part 91 and Part 135 tours and charters. I was flying Cessna Caravans for a local Fed Ex feeder company when I decided to return to the flying that I really enjoyed the most.

	I was very lucky to have met my current partner, Howard Trickey, who had the same ambitions that I did, to acquire a brand new WACO YMF Biplane. Together we started our new venture as Tropical Biplanes on October 8, 2002.

	Please take a look at our pictures on this Web site to see how our biplane came to be. Or better yet, when you come to Kaua'i, come fly with Howard and I for what will truly be The Ride of a Lifetime.







James Ray Hoffert

For me it all happened in the summer of 1985. Shortly after being born in Carson City, NV we moved to Santa Clarita: a suburb in Southern CA where I grew up and graduated from High school.

Somewhat politically and mathematically motivated I was academically ahead of myself and not very interested in a desk job. So, at 18 years old and with my inherited thrill seeking gene, I moved to Phoenix, AZ., and enrolled at Westwind Aviation school.

For 2 years I studied aviation and became a State of Arizona Correctional Officer to support myself. I partnered up with my buddy and we bought an airplane: a Piper Cherokee... I accumulated my hours with commercial and instrument certifications. With lots of enthusiasm we started our own corporation and tossed around a few tourism ideas, with no avail.

After vacationing with a friend, I realized that being a correctional officer was not what I wanted to do: something about prison and life goals. Traveling was more definitely it! An entrepreneur even!

At 21 years old I realized that experience is what I was lacking. And that's when I found a job here in Kauai, HI. So I left Phoenix; and my plane, cars, street bike and house to move here and pursue my career as a tour pilot for a local parachuting company.

That's where I met Kevin and Ray. After fulfilling my agreed term of employment at the "Parachute Company," I went to work with Kevin and Ray. I not only love my work here at Tropical Biplanes of Kauai, I acquired a great set of roll models.

Kevin and Ray have taken me under their wings (no pun intended. but, funny) and are currently guiding me along my desired path of travel and entrepreneurship. With the utmost respect and admiration, I have to pinch myself daily. I couldn't be in better hands, and I live here in Kauai! Could there be a more beautiful place?







for more information ~ Tropical Biplanes (808) 246-9123 or Toll Free 888-280-9123 tropical.biplanes@hawaiiantel.net

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