Mark Kono is an American helicopter pilot, aerial journalist, and former television reporter best known for his years as the legendary Sky5 pilot for KTLA 5 Morning News in Los Angeles. Widely respected as one of Southern California’s most experienced news helicopter pilots, Kono spent more than 25 years flying helicopters for television stations while providing live breaking news coverage, aerial photography, and traffic reporting. His remarkable flying skills and calm professionalism made him one of the most recognizable figures behind the scenes in Los Angeles television journalism.
Although viewers primarily knew him as the pilot of Sky5, Kono’s aviation career extended far beyond television. His operational experience included electronic newsgathering (ENG), executive charter operations, offshore oil support, medical evacuation flights, production work, and aerial cinematography. Before joining KTLA, he flew for several major television stations, including KABC-TV, KNBC-TV, KCBS-TV, KTTV-TV, KGO-TV in San Francisco, and KSAZ-TV in Phoenix, earning a reputation as one of the industry’s premier helicopter pilots.
Kono is equally well known for his marriage to fellow KTLA Morning News personality Ginger Chan. Together, they became one of Los Angeles television’s best-known husband-and-wife teams, balancing demanding broadcasting careers while raising three children. After decades of flying breaking news over Southern California, Kono announced his departure from KTLA in 2022, closing an extraordinary chapter in local television history.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Mark Kono |
| Profession | Helicopter Pilot, Television Reporter |
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | Hollywood, California, USA |
| Birthday | May 6 |
| Current Status | Former KTLA Sky5 Pilot |
| Years of Flying | 25+ years |
| Wife | Ginger Chan |
| Children | Three |
| Known For | Sky5, KTLA Morning News |
Early Life and Family
Mark Kono was born and raised in Hollywood, California, where he developed a fascination with aviation from an early age. Growing up in Southern California exposed him to helicopters, emergency aviation, and the rapidly expanding television news industry. While many children dreamed of becoming airline pilots, Kono became captivated by rotary-wing aircraft and the unique challenges of helicopter flying.
Despite spending decades in the public eye, Kono has remained notably private regarding his parents and siblings. He has rarely discussed his family background publicly, choosing instead to focus attention on his professional achievements and his own family. His privacy has helped him maintain a relatively low-profile lifestyle despite his visibility on one of Los Angeles’ most popular morning television programs.
Flight Training and Aviation Career
Mark Kono began his aviation journey in 1988, learning to fly the Robinson R22 helicopter at Hiser Helicopters in Corona, California. At the time, Hiser Helicopters was regarded as one of the nation’s premier helicopter training schools, attracting students from both the United States and overseas. After earning his initial ratings, Kono continued advanced turbine helicopter training, laying the foundation for a long and distinguished professional career.
Early in his career, he accumulated experience in numerous aviation specialties, including the following:
- Electronic News Gathering (ENG)
- Aerial photography
- Executive charter flights
- Offshore oil platform transportation
- Medical evacuation flights
- Production and film operations
- Search-and-rescue support
His work even included flying the AgustaWestland A119 and EC225, among several other sophisticated helicopter models. This unusually diverse operational background distinguished him from many television news pilots, giving him experience across commercial, industrial, and emergency aviation.
KTLA 5 Career
Mark Kono became widely known after joining KTLA 5 Morning News as the pilot for Sky5, the station’s highly recognizable news helicopter. Flying over one of the nation’s busiest metropolitan areas required extraordinary skill, precision, and quick decision-making. Every day, Kono helped deliver live coverage of:
- Breaking news
- Police pursuits
- Wildfires
- Earthquakes
- Traffic conditions
- Major sporting events
- Public celebrations
- Severe weather
His ability to safely position the aircraft while simultaneously assisting live television broadcasts earned widespread admiration throughout the broadcasting industry.
During his career, Kono also flew for several other major television stations throughout California and Arizona before joining KTLA permanently. Few helicopter pilots have accumulated experience across as many major-market news organizations. His contributions helped KTLA maintain its reputation as one of America’s leading local television news operations.
Retirement from KTLA
In June 2022, Mark Kono announced that he would be leaving KTLA after decades in broadcast aviation. The announcement surprised many longtime viewers who had become accustomed to hearing his calm communications from Sky5 during live breaking news coverage. Although he retired from his role at KTLA, Kono’s legacy as one of Southern California’s premier television helicopter pilots remains firmly established.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his aviation and broadcasting career, Mark Kono received multiple industry honors. As part of the KTLA Morning News team, he contributed to several Emmy Award-winning broadcasts covering breaking news and major live events. His professionalism and safety record have earned considerable respect within both the aviation and television communities.
Mark Kono Age
Mark Kono celebrates his birthday on May 6 each year. However, he has never publicly disclosed his birth year, and no official source has confirmed his exact age. Based on his lengthy aviation career beginning in the late 1980s, he is generally believed to be in his 50s, but this remains an estimate rather than a verified fact.
Mark Kono Wife
Mark Kono is married to Ginger Chan, the longtime KTLA 5 Morning News traffic and news reporter. Their marriage has made them one of Los Angeles television’s best-known broadcasting couples. Fellow KTLA personalities have frequently referred to them as one of the station’s “power couples.”
The pair celebrated their wedding anniversary publicly in 2018, with several KTLA colleagues sharing congratulations. Despite working in the same newsroom for years, both have successfully balanced demanding early-morning broadcasting schedules with family life.
Mark Kono Children and Family
Mark and Ginger are proud parents of three children:
- Ryder Kono
- Devyn Doris Kono
- Alyssa Rose Kono
Their eldest son, Ryder, became a proud older brother when twins Devyn and Alyssa were born in May 2014. Ginger has occasionally shared family milestones on social media, though both parents generally maintain a high level of privacy regarding their children’s lives. Family has consistently been one of Kono’s highest priorities throughout his demanding aviation career.
Mark Kono Height
Mark Kono stands approximately 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 meters) tall according to multiple publicly available biographies. KTLA has never officially published his physical measurements, but this height appears consistently across several biographical sources.
Mark Kono Salary
During his tenure as a Sky5 pilot at KTLA, Mark Kono’s annual salary has been estimated to range from $70,000 to $120,000, depending on seniority, broadcasting responsibilities, and aviation experience. Neither Kono nor KTLA has publicly disclosed his exact compensation, making these figures industry estimates based on comparable positions in major television markets.
Mark Kono Net Worth
As of 2026, Mark Kono’s estimated net worth ranges between $1 million and $3 million. His wealth has primarily been accumulated through more than three decades as a professional helicopter pilot, television journalist, and aerial broadcaster. His specialized aviation expertise, combined with years in one of America’s largest media markets, contributed significantly to his financial success. Since Kono has never publicly discussed his finances, these figures should be considered informed estimates rather than verified amounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mark Kono?
Mark Kono is an American helicopter pilot and former Sky5 aerial reporter for KTLA 5 Morning News with more than 25 years of professional aviation experience.
How old is Mark Kono?
His exact age is unknown because he has never publicly revealed his birth year. He celebrates his birthday on May 6.
Who is Mark Kono’s wife?
He is married to Ginger Chan, the longtime KTLA 5 traffic and news reporter.
Does Mark Kono have children?
Yes. He and Ginger Chan have three children: Ryder, Devyn Doris, and Alyssa Rose.
Why did Mark Kono leave KTLA?
Kono announced his departure from KTLA in 2022 after decades as the station’s Sky5 helicopter pilot, effectively retiring from the role.
What is Mark Kono’s net worth?
His estimated net worth is between $1 million and $3 million, though no official financial records have been released.