We went up with Devan Shepard and he's really a good instructor. He keeps you from feeling…read moreintimidated and overwhelmed. We went over the flight plan beforehand, talked about the aircraft. He explained what he was doing on the pre-flight inspection and they don't make assumptions about women there (which was lovely!) . For example, they didn't assume my husband was flying, even though he'd set it all up. That tiny plane was a trip! It was in terrific shape with nice instruments so you can get all sorts of experience with their fleet. If I decide to get a license, I'll go back to them!

I did my first discovery flight in a Cessna 172 which made me a little nervous at first, but I…read morereminded myself that people train in these planes all the time. I did a information session first before scheduling a discover flight which probably lead to a better experience. I thought the staff was professional and knowledgable. Which put my mind at ease knowing that the CFI's they hire are properly trained. The facilities are cleanly and organized that presents well the first time you step into the building. If they care a lot about the small things they will care about everything in-between. Meaning the bathrooms were well maintained, coffee bar was well organized, the reception desk was well organized, and the planes looked well kept. Helpful suggestions: - Do an informational session to sit inside the planes to see how you fit (6' - 6'4") will fit well in a 172. Cessna 150 being this tall will not go well. - Invest in the Sporty's monthly subscription ($60 at this time) to gain some knowledge beforehand on how airports and aircraft work. - Be willing to do research while also excited to learn new things. - Enjoy your time in the air once you take off (take pictures) because only about the last 100 years have people been able to see earth from POV of a pilot.

What a fantastic experience for RC's birthday: a flying lesson! For just over $200 you get a…read morehalf-hour tour of the plane, the controls, tips, and a thorough enough education to take the controls for an hour in the air with your instructor. Every COVID precaution is in place and we had a gorgeous, sunny, cool August day for the family to gather and watch outside. The instructor handles the takeoff and landing, but the rest of the time you are in control as you fly over the Twin Cities and see everything you want from above. It was a fun, amazing adventure and I highly recommend it.

Would never recommend Thunderbird, as all they seem to want to do is screw pilots over. I had only…read morewent here cause it was the closest option at the time, but I tell people to avoid it if they can. Most instructors are great to work with (some unprofessional with schedule changes) but that doesn't outweigh all the time and money I wasted, including time off of work, for things out of my control. There are not nearly enough planes. I had many tests rescheduled just because one plane was down (or it was back up and they didn't actually fix the problem so on the day of the test, I learned I couldn't actually take the test that day). I had taken tests with DPEs and failed because I wasn't taught certain specific things. How was I supposed to know? A friend of mine had some issue years ago and they still haven't resolved it, even though they said they would. All I got from this place was that they were extremely money hungry. Avoid it at all costs if possible.

This 1 star is for management's follow up. BIG FAIL. If I could give negative stars, you get 10…read more After a year, someone from Management comments on Yelp, of all places, on my review. Mind you, this is their attempt to reach out, after over a year! So to Management: You have my email. You had my cellphone. Long ago, I asked you for an explanation. You said you'll look into it. I asked again after a month. No response. I emailed you. I left you vms. Like a jilted lover, i heard only the silence of the radio. Now a year later you claim to have offered to refund my fees and a free ground school? At the same place that put me permanently off from flying? After I have moved to another state? Sorry I never got that email. I never got your phone call. I never got your check. By the way, great strategy on offering something that the customer has no use for, that cost you nothing to give (ok, an extra chair for the classroom). Let me ask you this - do you go back to a restaurant that poisoned you, because they gave you a free meal? Nothing will change the fact that your maintenance guy signed off on a leaky windscreen without doing anything. Or that I flew in a plane with a broken beacon light. Or that your professionals, including the instructor, didn't know whether it was ok to fly with a broken beacon light or not. I don't know what the FAA rules are, and frankly at this point I don't care. Even if it is kosher, what kind of a cowboy school are you that you think a first-time student flyer will be comfortable being thus treated? And what kind of business are you running that makes you think the customer is happy paying $163 for 5 seconds of flying, and can be ignored for a year when he tells you otherwise?

A very short review: I love this place. It has been an important part of my career that allows me…read moreoperate safely. While a sim is a sim, the training center impresses me with the little things: Coffee is always available. Snacks and sandwiches are freshly stocked for those session where you have no time for a food stop---or for the dreaded 0-Dark Thirty sim sessions. So thank you. It is not overlooked by us needy pilots. Fair winds.

The U.S. may have had a revolution on its hands were it not for Children's Village Montessori…read more As a new mom I felt absolutely wronged by the laws of this nation that do not allow for extended paid maternity leaves. So when I had to look for a place that I could trust with my firstborn when he was 10 weeks old, I was pretty particular, to say the least. I also needed a place that was convenient to my commute and was reasonably priced. It's been 10 months now and I am so happy I found this place. First of all, Pat, who works in the infant room, is an absolute baby-whisperer (or a Godsend, depending on your religious affiliations). It is such a joy to leave your child with someone who makes him flash that adorable toothless grin. She takes excellent care of the babies; my child is always is well-rested, well-fed, clean and - most importantly !happy! at the end of the day. The toddler room also seems to be a happy place. All the ladies have been almost like co-parents to us. They are baby experts! and will give you helpful tidbits about your particular child. I don't expect the moon - it is a daycare center, and it is tucked in a place that has crazy construction going on right now. Also it's not like they offer a fully organic menu or baby reiki or anything, but at least they are willing to work with you. They've also been flexible with our unpredictable work schedules, which is huge.

I can't believe I'm the first to review CVM!…read more I switched my now 5-year-old son to this preschool/daycare when he was three years old, after a disastrous experience with another child care. I was frantic and desperate for childcare, and when I walked in and saw Mary (the owner) wearing a cheery green leprechaun hat for St. Patrick's Day and calling each child by name, I knew I was in a good place. I only have a few (minor) complaints about this place, and I'd send another child here in a heartbeat. My son is starting kindergarten soon, so I'm sad to say we'll be leaving CVM soon after nearly 2 years. I'll get the cons out of the way quickly: (1) Parking is a little rough, since CVM is smack dab in the middle of a swath of auto-body places, and it's in an urban neighborhood right next to the University of Minnesota. Often there are no parking spots and parents have to idle their cars in the middle of the lot. (2) The staff could probably use a dress code. Their clothing is sometimes a little off-putting... there's something to be said for looking neat and tidy and well-groomed, and CVM staff occasionally are lax in this department. The pros: (1) CVM accepts childcare assistance. You'd be astonished how many places don't. This was a major factor for me. (2) The location is very convenient -- RIGHT next to the University of Minnesota, which is great for people like me who are students, staff or faculty at UMN but couldn't get in off the waiting list at the university daycare. (3) The mix of kids is healthy. The kids almost uniformly come from good homes, and many are the children of grad students and university employees. The racial balance is well-distributed and diverse, not skewed in any one direction, and my son has playmates whose parents hail from countries as diverse as Ethiopia, Somalia, Laos and Norway. Having playmates whose parents are involved, serious about parenting and affectionate is so important. Parents often bring treats for all the kids. (4) Mary, the owner, has been at CVM for almost 30 years -- longer than I've been alive. That continuity is so good for the children. There is less turnover at CVM than other childcares I've used. (5) I have never felt anything less than completely secure leaving my son in the care of CVM. Even when they bring the kids to the park (a few blocks away) or walk them to the playground, I know they're keeping a good eye on him and taking good care of him. You can't put a price on that.

Our one year old son attends here and we could not be any happier! The staff are all great and…read morehours are very flexible. Top notch!

I cannot express my love and appreciation for this school. We were new to MN and enrolled our first…read morechild in Ready, Set, Grow and have never felt more welcome and comfortable leaving our child in their capable hands. We have loved the entire staff, Andrea, the director has been a really supportive and encouraging to the children and the staff. This preschool has helped both of my boys develop emotionally and intellectually.

I am a copywriter who just graduated from Brainco, and I would recommend it to others who are…read moreserious about being in advertising.I learned from some of the best creatives in Minneapolis and was surrounded by some really talented students who will be lifelong friends. I'm leaving with a book that I feel confident in and am proud to say where I built it. As with anything worth pursuing, you get what you give. Brainco provides smart and talented teachers, classmates to learn from, and assignments to do - all with the goal of facilitating an environment where YOU can build a great book. If you're looking or some kind of advertising day spa, I don't recommend Brainco at all. But if you've got goals, a great attitude, and are willing to put in the leg work to actually BE a good creative, I'd recommend giving them a call.