Instruction

Seth Underdahl

General Manager

Seth grew up in Columbus, MN on a small hobby farm. In the earlier years of his life, he spent a great amount of his time helping with his parents small farm operation and grew to love the countryside setting. The neighborhood he grew up in was tight-knit and there was always something to do outside with others that lived in the area. He enjoyed roaming the neighborhood on dirt bikes and four-wheelers, or snowboarding behind them.

After he graduated high school, he attended general college at Century College and then continued his education by studying Ecology and Environmental Science at South Dakota State University. While studying, he experienced a traumatic brain injury which removed him from college. Through recovery, he realized his interest in aviation had grown tremendously and he decided to pursue his Private Pilot License. While working to obtain his Private Pilot License, he took a desk job at Twin Cities Flight. He obtained his Private Pilot License in 2017 and devoted himself to the flight school for the foreseeable future.

In August 2021 he was given the opportunity to become Senior Director of People, Strategy, and Growth for the flight school. He took this opportunity wholeheartedly and maintains this position pursuing dreams of growth and uniqueness for Twin Cities Flight.

Tim Luedtke

Flight Operations and Facilities Manager (CFI)

Tim grew up in Linwood, MN, attended the University of Minnesota, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Mortuary Science. His introduction to aviation didn’t occur until moving next door to a busy metro area seaplane base. Whether planes were taking off from the water or the grass strip, he always thought, “That looks fun. I’m going to figure out how to do that.” And so, he figured it out.

Tim changed career paths in 2016 after a discovery flight at Twin Cities Flight Training and became a first-generation aviator. He earned his initial flight certifications from Twin Cities Flight and rounded out his training with a seaplane rating. You can find Tim around Twin Cities Flight instructing others to achieve their goals and at the front desk running point for the daily operations. You may also find him pouring a double recommended amount of miracle-gro on his flowers, taking vacations that only involve traveling to an island, or getting those vacuum lines in the carpet just right.

DJ Horton

Chief Flight Instructor (CFI, CFII, MEI, Stage Check)

DJ started flying as child with his dad and at 16 earned his Private Pilot Certificate - Glider. DJ grew up in San Diego and spent several years traveling internationally before settling in Minnesota. He has extensive global experience, having flown throughout East Africa and the Middle East, visiting more than 35 countries in all. He has worked for CFR Part 91/91k and 135 operators and holds PIC type ratings in the Citation 650 and 750, Falcon 10, Phenom 300, and Learjet 60. DJ holds FAA ATP, CFI, CFII, MEI, AGI, and IGI certificates, a CAA Commercial validation from South Africa and has served as a training captain on the King Air 200 and the Citation 650. When DJ isn’t flying he enjoys photography and triathlon training.

James Bauer

CFI, CFII, MEI

James began flying in 1998 while attending school at St. Cloud State. During his time at St. Cloud, James earned his Commercial Certificate, his Flight Instructor Certificate, and a Bachelor of Science Degree. After college James took a short break from aviation and earned his Master Plumbers License and currently owns his own plumbing company. James joined Twin Cities Flight Training in 2015 and quickly became a go to instructor for the students in Twin Cities Flight’s program. James spends his down time fishing, going to the movies and spending time with his family.

Matt Bruggemann

CFI, CFII, Stage Check Instructor

Matt joined Twin Cities Flight Training in August 2019. He first learned to fly in high school at a small airport in upstate New York where he earned his Private Pilot Certificate. After high school, Matt moved halfway across the country to attend the University of North Dakota, where he graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Commercial Aviation. While studying there, he obtained his Commercial ASEL, AMEL, CFI, and CFII. When not flying, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters. His favorite hobbies are traveling, hunting, and flying his drone to take aerial photography. 

Brandon Brommer

CFI, CFII

Brandon grew up in St Michael, MN. He attended St John's University in St Joseph and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. Shortly after college he decided that an office job wasn’t for him, so he decided to start flying. He hasn’t had any regrets with pursuing aviation as a career because it’s both rewarding and challenging. ​He got his licenses at L3Harris located in Sanford, FL. He enjoys spending time with family and friends. He also loves Snowboarding. Some of his favorite spots to snowboard are in Lutsen, Minnesota and Big Sky, Montana.

Idiris Ahmed

CFI, CFII

Idiris began flying at a young age. His excitement for aviation began at 6 years old when he took his first flight on the British Airways 747. Ever since then, he has been traveling and visiting many countries around the globe. Idiris has lived in 8 different states and 3 different countries. Most of his flight training was done in Southern California and the Twin Cities. He aspires to be a major airline captain one day. Outside of aviation, Idiris likes to work on his e-commerce business, play basketball, and travel on surf trips. He also loves spending time with his family and friends. Idiris is excited to be on the Twin Cities Flight team and wants to help others fulfill their dreams of becoming a pilot. 

Ben Cencer

CFI, MEI

Ben grew up surrounded by airplanes. Both his father and grandfather were airline pilots. He achieved his Private Pilot Certificate in the summer of 2014 in St. Cloud, his home airport. The following school year, he attended Minnesota State University, Mankato. There he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Flight, along with his Commercial ASEL, AMEL, CFI, and MEI ratings. After college, Ben spent some time working on the maintenance side of aviation until joining Twin Cities Flight Training in 2023. While not at the airport, Ben enjoys spending time with his friends and fiancé Marie, as well as traveling, cycling, and playing piano.

McKenna Gordon

CFI, CFII

McKenna unexpectedly caught the travel bug while dancing professionally for the NBA. Given opportunities to dance internationally, McKenna aspired to find a profession that could take her across the world once retiring from her dance career. With encouragement from family and friends, she began flight training during the height of the pandemic, igniting a true calling. McKenna quickly developed a passion for flying, earning CFI and CFII certificates, in addition to a bachelor's degree in commercial aviation. McKenna is a first-generation college graduate who takes great pride in guiding others through the unique challenges of aviation, as well as celebrating the exceptional joy that the vocation brings. When not flying, you can find her in the dance studio, active outdoors, and enjoying time with family and friends.

Tanner Ballard

Certified Flight Instructor

Tanner’s love for aviation began in his birthplace of Yuma, Arizona, where, as a boy, he spent countless hours watching Harrier jets flying in and out of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. Since then, he has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. While attending college, he also attended flight school and earned his pilot licenses. He is eager to help prospective pilots make their dreams come true just as his have. When he isn’t flying, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Rachel, and son Duncan, as well as cooking, watching sports, and exploring his new home state.