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Schuman Aviation Company Ltd dba 

Air Carrier Certificate MKHA108K 

I . I 

U 

.- --'-e x 

130 lolana Place 

Honolulu Hawaii 96819 

808-834-5813 

Email richard@makanikai.com 

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SCHUMA N AVIATIO N COMPANY . LT D 

1 3 0 lOLAN A PLACE , HONOLULU . H I 9681 9 

SOS-aM-SSlS FAX 808-837-7867 Richard@MakaniKai.com 

January 24, 2011 

Brian Swanson, AICP 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

Office of Aviation Analysis, X-50 

W86-473 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. 

Washington, DC 20590 

RE: Proposal to Provide Essential Air Service at Kalaupapa, Hawaii 

(Docket DOT-OST-2000-6773) 

Dear Mr. Swanson, 

In response to the above-referenced orders, Schuman Aviation Company Ltd, dba Makani Kai 

Air Charters (FAA Air Carrier Certificate MKHA108K), respectfully submits its bid for 

provision of Essential Air Service at Kalaupapa, Hawaii. The proposed two year service profile 

and pricing details are: 

YEAR ONE 

Honolulu, HI to Kalaupapa, HI 

Kalaupapa, HI to Molokai, HI 

YEAR TWO 

LX'UiilTwo (2) daily round trips 

Monday through Saturday 

Three (3) daily round trips 

Monday through Saturday 

Honolulu, HI to Kalaupapa, HI 

Kalaupapa, HI to Molokai, HI 

For Revenue and Expense Details, See Appendix A. 

Two (2) daily round trips 

Monday through Saturday 

Three (3) daily round U-ips 

Monday through Saturday 

AiiMiKil Siihsit K 

$877.709.84 

$877,709.84 

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Proposal to Provide Essential Air Service at Kalaupapa (Continued) 

Background -

Kalaupapa is one of the most isolated communities in the country. There is no road access to the 

area: Kalaupapa is a peninsula that sits at the bottom of 2,000-foot vertical cliffs, effectively 

cutting the area off from the rest of the island of Molokai. To get to Kalaupapa, one can hike 

down tlie cliff trail, ride a mule, or fly. This isolated nature is precisely the reason that Kalaupapa 

was selected in the 1800's as the settlement for Hansen's Disease patients. Peninsula residents 

today rely on the settlement's annual barge to deliver food, equipment and fuel. 

Pacific Wings, currently the only scheduled commercial airline serving Kalaupapa for the past 

decade, did so under an EAS subsidy agreement until April 1, 2007. The company provided 

subsidy-free service but evidently determined that such service was not profitable. Pacific Wings 

has petitioned the DOT to suspend its service to Kalaupapa in order to re-submit a proposal to 

provide EAS to Kalaupapa. 

In order to determine what the community of Kalaupapa wants and needs for air service, we 

interviewed residents and workers to find out what they are looking for in an air service provider. 

Along with the usual requirements of safety, reliability and timeliness, those we spoke with made 

it clear that patients would like to be able to come to Honolulu for medical appointments and 

return to Kalaupapa the same day. Accordingly, we are working in conjunction with Island Air in 

establishing flight schedules with enough time between the arrival of our proposed flights from 

Kalaupapa to Molokai / Honolulu and departure of those flights back to Molokai / Kalaupapa to 

accommodate this need. 

It also became clear that there was a need for residents and visitors to be able to fly "topside" to 

the Molokai Airport and back down to the settlement, so we are proposing three daily round trip 

flights between the Molokai Airport and Kalaupapa airport. 

About Schuman Aviation Company Ltd -

Schuman Aviation Company Ltd. is a locally owned business that has operated Makani Kai 

Helicopters since 1996. The Schuman name is well known in Hawaii: Gustav A. Schuman, my 

great grandfather, immigrated to Hawaii from Germany in 1893 and established one of Hawaii's 

first automobile dealerships. Schuman Carriage Company Ltd, which eventually carried the 

Cadillac, CMC, Hummer and Subaru brands, was in business for over 110 years. 

In 1996,1 established Schuman Aviation Company Ltd. to provide, "the best customer service of 

any aviation company in Hawaii, bar none." My local upbringing has given me a firm 

understanding and appreciation of the culture of the people of Hawaii. My family's relationships 

with members of the Molokai community in some cases go back generations. My grandmother 

was raised on the island of Molokai. 

Makani Kai Helicopters, established in 1988, based at the Honolulu International Airport, is 

Oahu's oldest, largest and most experienced helicopter tour company. In 22 years, the company 

Makani Kal Helicopters - Makani Kal Air Charters - Ko Ollna Helicopters - Pacific Air Express - Hawai i Aviation 

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Proposal to Provide Essential Air Service at Kalaupapa (Continued) 

has provided aerial tours for over 14,000 persons annually without incident or accident. The 

company employs two Eurocopter A-Stars and uses two Robinson R-44s for special jobs and 

photo charters. 

Makani Kai Helicopters is the recipient of the FAA's Diamond Award for maintenance 

excellence, the prestigious Platinum Safety Award from the Helicopters Association 

International, and is a member of TOPS, The Tour Operators Program of Safety. More topically, 

Makani Kai Helicopters provides the helicopters and piloting for the new Hawaii Five-0 

television series on CBS 

The company is on track to become the authorized Cessna Service Center for the State of Hawaii 

and is headquarters for the Robinson Helicopter dealership and service center for the State of 

Hawaii. 

Schuman Aviation Company Ltd. dba Hawaii Aviation Services is an FAA Part 141 Repair 

Station (Certificate # MKHR108K) and is authorized by the FAA to perform work on Cessna 

150s to 172s and the Caravans, Piper Chieftains, Eurocopter A-Stars and Robinson helicopters, 

as well as Lycoming, Turbomeca, and Pratt & Whitney engines. All aircraft maintained under an 

FAA Repair Station Certificate must adhere to a higher level of maintenance tracking, reliability 

and accountability. 

In 2009, the company expanded its operations with the addition of two Piper Chieftains and 

established Makani Kai Air Charters. The Chieftains make regular visits to Kalaupapa, carrying 

residents and physicians as well as tourists and others wishing to take the Father Damien Tour. 

Makani Kai Air Charters has built its reputation as a safe, reliable and accommodating air 

carrier, sensitive to the needs of the community. 

Also in 2009, Schuman Aviation Company Ltd. began air cargo operations using Cessna 208B 

Caravans in conjunction with Pacific Air Cargo. That operation, doing business as Pacific Air 

Express, serves the islands of Maui and Kauai six nights a week. The cargo endeavor has given 

us first-hand operational and maintenance experience with the Caravan. 

In 2010, Schuman Aviation Company Ltd. was granted Initial FAA Part 135 Scheduled 

Commuter status by the Department of Transportation. 

Reliability & Dependability -

Makani Kai Air Charters proposes to provide scheduled services to Kalaupapa using nine-seat 

Cessna 208B Grand Caravans, the same aircraft currently used by the incumbent carrier. The 

Caravan has proven to be an exceptionally reliable aircraft for Makani Kai's cargo operations. 

The Caravan has enjoyed a 99% reliability record making nightly flights from Oahu to Maui and 

Kauai. 

Makani Kai Helicopters - Makani Kal Air Charters - Ko Ollna Helicopter s - Pacific Air Express - Hawai i Aviation 

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Proposal to Provide Essential Air Service at Kalaupapa (Continued) 

As you are no doubt aware, FAA regulations stipulate that a single-engine aircraft such as the 

Caravan must remain within gliding distance to shore whenever over water carrying passengers. 

That means that the Caravans must climb to an altitude of 5,000 feet plus when crossing the 25 

mile Molokai channel in order to comply with the FAA regulations. Occasionally, weather will 

preclude climbing to such altitudes which means possibly cancelling a flight. In that event, we 

plan to press into service one of our two Piper Chieftain twin-engine aircraft to make the trip 

because the Piper Chieftains have no such altitude restriction. We can fly below the weather on 

our way to service Kalaupapa. 

As a measure of added safety, all of our pilots are Airline Transport Rated (ATP) professionals 

and well versed in single pilot Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations. 

Contractual and Marketing Arrangements with a Larger Carrier -

Schuman Aviation Company Ltd is currently negotiating a code sharing agreement with Island 

Air. Island Air has been operating in Hawaii skies for over 30 years and is a leading regional 

carrier serving airports on ail major Hawaiian Islands. The airline offers flights between Oahu, 

Maui (Kahului Airport and West Maui's Kapalua Airport), Molokai, Lanai, Kauai, and the Big 

Island of Hawaii. Island Air operates a fleet of 37-seat Dash 8 turboprop aircraft. 

The Kaluapapa passengers will have easy access to the national transportation network through 

Island Air's code share agreements with many of the large domestic FAA Part 121 air carriers. 

Although it will be quick and easy to book reservations online at our website, we plan to fully 

staff a phone bank to handle reservation requests and answer questions. This is to accommodate 

the large percentage of Kalaupapa residents without Internet access. Our phones are answered by 

a real live person 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Community Views -

We interviewed several Kalaupapa residents, healthcare professionals. National Park employees 

and State personnel to determine what they are looking for in scheduled air service to the 

community. Besides the obvious plea for lower air fares, there was consensus that the company 

chosen to provide EAS to Kalaupapa should be accommodating to the commimity's specific 

needs, such as ensuring that the aircraft is accessible by disabled persons, that the flight schedule 

would allow transit to Honolulu and back to Kalaupapa the same day, and that the air carrier 

have a proven track record of safety and on time service. It was also noted that the chosen carrier 

should be financially stable and able to provide air service for years to come. 

It should be noted here that Schuman Aviation is held in high regard within Hawaii business 

community, is a staunch member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau 

and was recognized by Hawaii Business magazine for excellence in small business. The 

company is well run and financially strong. 

Makani Kal Helicopters - Makani Kai Air Charters - Ko Olina Helicopters - Pacific Air Express - Hawai i Aviation 

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Proposal to Provide Essential Air Service at Kalaupapa (Continued) 

In our interviews, several individuals expressed frustration over the inability or unwillingness on 

the part of the incumbent carrier to accommodate special needs. Rita Ward, a lifelong Kalaupapa 

resident who had been using the incumbent carrier for a decade, complained that the Pacific 

Wings pilot refused to allow her to board the aircraft when she inadvertently forgot her 

identification. Kalaupapa is not a TSA secured airport and passenger identification is not 

required. Here is a woman who grew up in a very small community, well known by everyone in 

the community and by the aircrews, who flies the route with great frequency, who was 

nonetheless refused transport based on a Pacific Wings company policy. This was unfortunate 

because Rita was on her way to visit her mother, Gloria Marks, who was airlifted out by the 

Coast Guard the night before and hospitalized in Honolulu. 

It's a matter of understanding and appreciating the situation...and using some common sense in 

support of a small, isolated community like Kalaupapa. 

Incidentally, I personally picked up Rita that morning and flew her back to Honolulu. No charge. 

Ease of Use -

Makani Kai Air Charters brings travelers ease and convenience: our million-dollar passenger 

terminal in Honolulu obviates the need for TSA security screening. This will: 

• Allow lower fares because there are no gate fees 

• Increase reliability in arrival and departure times 

• Allow faster tum-around of aircraft and 

• Vastly improve the air transport experience by eliminating lines and the need to take off 

shoes. 

Passengers will simply arrive 20 minutes in advance of departure, board the aircraft and fly. 

We'll even provide complimentary shuttle service between the airport, downtown and Waikiki. 

Also, knowing that there are a few persons at Kalaupapa who are unable to walk, we are 

prepared to accommodate wheelchair-bound individuals with the Caravan. Several years ago, 1 

made a commitment to disabled persons wanting to fly our scenic helicopter tours by fabricating 

an electric lift to transport the passenger from their wheelchair up into the helicopter. It was then 

and remains now my conviction that the disabled should have every opportunity to enjoy what 

other visitors enjoy, if at all possible. 

The lift provides easy and convenient access to our aerial tours and helps the disabled person 

maintain dignity while getting into and out of the aircraft. Similarly, we will design and build a 

lift to allow the disabled passenger to be loaded into the Caravan while comfortably seated in 

their wheelchair. The transfer from the wheel chair to the aircraft seat can take place once inside 

the aircraft. 

Makani Kai Helicopters - Makani Kai Air Charters - Ko Olina Helicopters - Pacific Air Express - Hawai i Aviation 

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Proposal to Provide Essential Air Service at Kalaupapa (Continued) 

Our specially designed electric lift allows disabled persons easy 

access to the helicopter. We plan to build a similar lift to accommodate wheel-chair bound persons traveling on our Caravans. 

In Summary -

Makani Kai Air Charters is a home grown company, one with deep roots in the community, one 

with Hawaii and its people in its heart. Here is a professional organization with accolades from 

countless customers over two decades of sterling service, with the solid endorsement of the FAA 

and the communities of Molokai and Kalaupapa. We submit this proposal respectfully based not 

on the prospect of boosting the bottom line for stockholders, but rather from a genuine desire to 

provide good service to people who deserve such service. 

It is our fervent hope that the DOT takes a long look beyond schedules, subsidies and politics 

and make the right choice for a community in need. 

Sincerely, 

G. Richard Schuman 

President 

Diane Schuman 

CFO 

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Ko Olina Helicopter s - Pacific Air Express - Hawai i Aviation 
Estimated Annual Revenue: 

HNL-LUP-HNL 

LUP-MKK-LUP 

$156,000.00 

$81,120.00 

APPENDEX A 

$125.00*per passenger one way 

$65.00* per passenger one way 

* plus FETTax and Segment Fees. Prices set for two years 

Total Revenue $237,120.00 

Estimated Expenses: 

Aircraft $180,000.00 - Aircraft Lease 

Insurance $96,000.00 - 50 Million Dollar Liability Coverage 

Pilots $149,760.00 

Fuel $215,000.00 

Maintenance $97,000.00 - Parts and labor 

Engine & Prop Reserve $78,000.00 - Set aside for engine and propeller overhauls 

State Landing Fees $7,987.20 

Administration $56,500.00 

Total Expenses 

Operational Loss 

$880,247.20 

$(643,127.20) 

Subsidy requested T^year $877,709.84 

Subsidy requested 2"*^ year $877,709.84 

Estimated passengers 1st year 2496 

Departures 2616 

Flight Hours 936 

Daily Flight Schedule: Monday thru Saturday 

Depart Honolulu (HNL) 8:30am 

Depart Kalaupapa (LUP) 9:10am 

Depart Molokai (MKK) 9:30am 

Depart Kalaupapa (LUP) 1:30pm 

Depart Molokai (MKK) 1:50pm 

Depart Kalaupapa (LUP) 2:15pm 

Arrive Kaluapapa (LUP) 9:00am 

Arrive Molokai (MKK) 9:20am 

Arrive Kalaupapa (LUP) 9:40am 

Arrive Molokai (MKK) 1:40am 

Arrive Kalaupapa (LUP) 2:00pm 

Arrive Honolulu (HNL) 2:45pm 

Depart Honolulu (HNL) 3:00pm 

Depart Kalaupapa (LUP) 3:40pm 

Depart Molokai (MKK) 4:10pm 

Depart Kalaupapa (LUP) 4:30pm 

Arrive Kaluapapa (LUP) 3:30pm 

Arrive Molokai (MKK) 3:50pm 

Arrive Kalaupapa (LUP) 4:20pm 

Arrive Honolulu (HNL) 5:00pm 

Makani Kai Helicopters - Makani Kal Air Charters - Ko Ollna Helicopters - Pacific Air Express - Hawai i Aviation 

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Daniel K. Inouye, the most senior member of the U.S. Senate and the President Pro-Tempore. is shown 

here with Makani Kai Air Charters owner Richard Schuman upon the senator's arrival back in Honolulu. 

Senator Inouye and his staff have the utmost trust In Makani Kai Air Charters and in this case flew with 

us to Kalaupapa on the island of Molokai for a visit. 

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