Armin Engert started Hang Gliding Maui in 1990 and is an FAA Certified Flight Instructor as well as a certified Tandem Hang Gliding pilot.
Having flown hang gliders and Ultra-lights since 1982, Armin has accumulated some 25,000 flying hours to date with a perfect safety record.
Hang Gliding Maui has been featured on several television shows both domestic and International, the most well known of these was in 1996 when MTV’s Jenny McCarthy flew with Armin for the show Extreme Comedy.
Armin and Karin married March 1998 and the two now run the company together. Their son Silvan was born May 1999, daughter Nadia arrived December 29, 2002. Armin is originally from Germany and Karin from Switzerland. Both are fluent in German and English languages.
At Hang Gliding Maui, safety comes first — always. With a 100% safety record, every flight reflects our commitment to precision, professionalism, and care.
Our aircraft, the Airborne Trike, is built for strength and stability. It has been tested to withstand 6 positive G-forces and 3 negative G-forces — far beyond what most conventional airplanes experience. That means a stronger, safer, and more stable flight for you.
The Airborne Trike is engineered to glide safely even without power. At your request, we can turn off the engine near the end of your flight so you can experience the quiet, graceful glide back to earth — proof of the aircraft’s exceptional design.
Each aircraft is equipped with a ballistic recovery parachute system, an advanced backup that can gently lower the aircraft in the unlikely event of an emergency. It’s a system we maintain and inspect regularly to ensure readiness every single flight.
All flights are led by our highly experienced, certified instructor with over 25,000 flight hours and a perfect safety record. Before every takeoff, we perform comprehensive pre-flight checks — engine, wing, and control systems — and provide passengers with a full safety briefing.
Our aircraft are meticulously cared for according to manufacturer and aviation-safety standards. Every inspection, every maintenance check, and every replacement part is documented to guarantee reliability and peace of mind.
