Would never recommend Thunderbird, as all they seem to want to do is screw pilots over. I had only went 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. read more

This 1 star is for management's follow up. BIG FAIL. If I could give negative stars, you get 10. 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? read more

I did my Commercial Multiengine add-on, CFII and MEI at Thunderbird Aviation in the spring/summer of 2010. Great aircraft and very knowledgeable flight instructors! Passed all of my advanced check rides on the first try without any issues. Moreover, I learned to be a competent and safe pilot through some busy airports/airspace. Would highly recommend to anyone looking to learn to fly as a casual pilot or a career program! read more

I chose this enterprise for my first ever flight lessons. The place is easy to find and the lady at the front desk was courteous and polite. I had called ahead because I wanted to do take flight lessons as my own personal form of adventure on my birthday. My instructor was Scott, who was nice and patient with me ( presumably I was all gaga with happiness once we were up in the air). The instructor controlled the take off and landing ,but once we were up in the air it was a hands on experience. We flew a small 4 seater plane from the flying cloud airport over parts of eden prairie and lake minnetonka. The instructor answered my many many questions about navigation of the aircraft those of you who wants to do something out of ordinary and with a bit of an adventure, this 30 minute flight lesson is very fulfilling. I intend to come back again to buy it as a gift for my spouse. Also if you purchase this option directly from Thunderbird, and not from a third party such as cloud 9 living you get a 20 dollar discount ! The price is so worth for the first timer experience! read more

Thunderbird Aviation - Flight Instruction Near Me - Eden Prairie, Minnesota

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50 percent of the times these small airports can be quite classy. This would be the other 50%. The Bathroom is like one that you would find in a 747. The only difference is that toilets don't make a loud sucking noise when you flush them. read more

I've been doing my flight training here for a little over a year now, I chose Thunderbird because they were the most professional flight school in the Twin Cities, and they have always proved that I made the right choice. If you want to get flight training in the Twin Cities, Thunderbird is the answer. Highly Recomended. read more

I had a lot of fun getting my private pilot license through Thunderbird. They are professional and thorough. I've been complimented on two separate occasions on the quality of my training during checkout flights with different aircraft. I found the desk people friendly and helpful, and the line guys are great. read more

I can't speak intelligently as to the quality of their flight instruction, but I was scheduled to take a written exam at Thunderbird for my private pilot's license today. Laura (I believe it was her) seemed very kind over the phone when I scheduled the exam roughly two weeks in advance but, when I called in today (Monday) to confirm the time of my exam, I was informed that Thunderbird doesn't even offer exams on Mondays and there is no way for them to administer my exam. I am working on a very tight timeframe and leaving MN in a few days; if it wasn't for Hummingbird Aviation's willingness to administer the test today, I wouldn't have been able to take my written exam and the subsequent in-flight check ride before I returned to school, which would've severely hindered my efforts to attain my license as I won't be back for several months. If I've learned anything thus far from my training, it is that communication is of the utmost importance in every aspect of aviation; poor communication is highly indicative of either negligence or recklessness, neither of which are traits I want from my instructors. Due to the aforementioned, I would highly suggest that students seek their training from either InFlight Pilot Training (where I learned + highly suggest) or Hummingbird. read more

I have completed the Private Pilot program at Thunderbird Aviation. The school was very flexible with my schedule. I had 2 excellent and very professional instructors that helped me obtained my license! In addition Thunderbird has just opened their new facility making the classroom a comfortable learning environment. read more

Look no further, this school is incredible! I did my homework before choosing Thunderbird for my private pilot training and they have exceeded my every expectation. This was no small commitment having to commute from Rochester (1 hour 40 minutes) but it has been well worth it. My instructor Fred is absolutely superb. In fact, all the instructors, staff and FBO personnel are fantastic. The new facility is a definite plus! Next move for me is instrument rating, and even though there are alternatives closer to home, I will definitely be staying with Thunderbird at Flying Cloud. read more