Anyone have any info on MN Aviation in Albert Lea, MN?

[arloray]

I have been searching for a great school where I can all of my ratings. I came accross MN Aviation in Albert Lea, MN. They impressed me on the phone and I will be visiting them next week. In the meantime, does anyone have any info on them?

[dj4wrd]

I went there for my CFI. Not necessarily as advertised, but I got what I paid for. I would probably do it again. What was to be a 7 day CFI course become 11 days the first second we met our instructor. He simply said I know you guys think you are done in 7 days, but that is probably not going to happen. It didn't. At least he was honest about it, but that's not what you want to hear within your first couple of minutes being there. You'll get school's claiming stuff like that all the time unfortunately. Just gotta roll with it and get'er done.

There were only two of us CFI applicants and we were well prepared. Had the writtens done, lesson plans created, knew the airplanes, proficient, etc, etc. Our instructor claimed we were "top notch" yet it still took us 11 days. It was an INTENSE 11 days. When it came time for checkride, they couldn't find an Examiner. One of the reasons I went there was their "relationship" with a couple of Examiners and how the CFI applicants had a 90% pass rate. They found an Examiner for us alright. They hadn't used this guy in a few years because he had a rep for being difficult. He actually made a CFI applicant cry in the plane. True story told to us several times AFTER we had passed our checkride. Goes by the name Iron Mike. Ex safety guy, check pilot, everything guy from Northwest Airlines. VERY intelligent. Learned quite a bit from him in my oral. In the airplane he was a completely different person. Oral and the practical were day and night difference. I won't get into all the details here. We both passed though. I know the FISDO has cracked down on them for not using FAA guys somehow, so I'm not sure about their "relationship" with Examiners any more. I find it difficult to believe they have a 90% pass rate for CFI applicants any more. I was told something like the next 9 CFI applicants had failed after we left.

I would go there again, but be make sure you are on your game. It's intense and there is no time for slacking. Any questions feel free to PM me. Good luck!

[Flyin_bryan]

ive been there -

its a nice place in the summer time. at a 'cozy' airport.

when i was there they were having a problem getting guys past the checkride on the cfi.

they are nice people.

[arloray]

Thanks guys, I had to postphone my trip next week, but I'll give you my impression when I get back.