Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 59; Flight Crew Type 59
Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Human Factors; Procedure
Another Cessna 172 approached the checkpoint for clearance into HNL Bravo airspace after I had been cleared in. They approached from above me and to the south. They were having issues with their transponder I believe and turned to the north and away from the airport to address their transponder and for sequencing. When I caught sight of them above me and to my right I pushed the yoke down to separate us further and continued my approach toward HNL. My lessons learned from this event are: 1. be more proactive on the radio with HCF when a situation like this is identified; second more aggressively search for other aircraft at points of congestion (even above me) to prevent a collision.
C172 pilot reports a NMAC with another C172 at a visual reporting point requesting clearance into HNL Class B airspace.