Soaring Over Oahu's North Shore at Dillingham Airfield
Introduction
On the bucolic North Shore of Oahu, Dillingham Airfield (IATA: HDH) serves as a museum to two unrelated worlds - one in flight over Hawaii and another beneath its surf legends. It is a public and military-use airport that has everything for aviation enthusiasts to passers-by looking at saturating their senses in straight brakeless diving and all the way through from basic gliding trials, skydiving loops right up until military training.
Airlines and Destinations
None of the scheduled airlines offer service to Dillingham Airfield. Rather, it is now used as a general aviation airfield focusing on gliding, skydiving, and military operations.
Passengers and Flights
Dillingham Airfield is a non-commercial airport and therefore has no reporting passenger or flight volume. But a steady flow of pilots and skydivers visit year-round for recreation or training.
How to Get Here
The airfield is situated approximately 2 nautical miles (4 km) west of the central business district of Mokulēʻia, on the North Shore. The airport is reachable by car, and there are plenty of parking spaces you can use to park your vehicle.
Parking
Dillingham Airfield has free parking for visitors and airport users. The parking space is built adjacent to the airport, and as a result, grants easy access to several services of the airport.
Transportation Price
As Dillingham Airfield does not have any scheduled commercial airline, there are no predetermined transportation fares. From our lodging, it may have required hiring private transportation (rental cars or a shuttle service) to take us from where we were staying to the airport.
Terminal Layout
Unlike a traditional airport terminal building, Dillingham Airfield is a series of hangars and maintenance facilities, as well as administration offices that support the various aviation events on site.
Navigate the Airport
The Dillingham Airfield is one of the easiest airports to use. All areas - including the glider operations, skydiving facilities, and military training zones - are easily accessible for visitors by following clearly marked signage and pathways.
Getting Between Terminals
Since Dillingham does not have standalone terminals, we do not need to move between them. With walk-on or drive-up access controls, visitors may easily transfer between the numerous air-side facilities and mostly use ground transport choices.
Services and Amenities
Dillingham Airfield provides an array of services and amenities that complement its aviation-centric mission. This includes fuel stations, maintenance hangars, and administrative offices. That said, those all-important airport staples - like restaurants or shops - are absent.
Restaurants and Shops
No on-site restaurant or shop is available at Dillingham Airfield. As for dining and shopping, the closest options will be in Mokulēʻia or Waialua.
Security and Customs
Dillingham Airfield is a general aviation airport, and as such, operates in accordance with elements of security to protect its functioning. But it does lack proper customs facilities since the airport would not be an official international point of entry (the razed General Mitchell had been one).
Accessibility
Dillingham Airfield, complete with parking and ground transport for locals, is the one airport that opens its doors to you. The airport terminal facilities and infrastructure are built to cater to various activities of aviation, including those related to persons with disabilities.
Travel Tips
Visitors to Dillingham Airfield are encouraged to come prepared for outdoor activities and weather conditions. Guests are advised to bring sunscreen, hats, and wear sturdy shoes. Also, note that the aviation operations at these airports are undoubtedly subject to unique safety regulations, so be sure you understand exactly what that means and how it will apply in your case.