Education & Classes in Greenville

The full-time professional flight instructors of WNC Aviation help aspiring aeronauts unfurl their wings and also refresh professional pilots on essential flying skills with a personal and career-training curriculum. Crews let experienced aviators take to the skies in an aircraft from the fully insured fleet, or teach beginners flight basics within a private or small-group setting. A full-motion simulator allows captains to perfect their “fasten your seatbelt” speeches, and an FAA-certified training program runs through the entire certification process under real-world conditions at the school’s controlled, uncongested airport.

Whether Big Air Aviation's students are first-time fliers or seasoned jumbo-jet pilots, they all start in the same spot: the passenger seat of Cessna 152 Sparrowhawk. Starting off behind the yoke of the small, light aircraft presents a completely different flying experience from a 747 at an airport. “A commercial jet is like a cattle prod,” says Rob Craig, the founder of Big Air Aviation. “But this thing—you can go wherever you want to go.” Once student and teacher have ascended into the clouds, the student gets the chance to chart an individual course over the green foothills of Rutherford County, speeding over treetops or slowing down to high-five hot air balloon captains.

Rob says introductory lessons are brief: an overview of measurement instruments, controls, and rotor petals is enough to equip students for a brief flight. It’s this accessibility that proves the Cessna 152 Sparrowhawk’s biggest draw, and over the years, Rob has watched many of his former students transform what began as a hobby into a full-time career.

For as long as she can remember, Laura K. Aiken has had an insatiable need to create, both for herself and for others. Most recently, her love for color and crafting has drawn her to the ancient art of mosaic—which, along with painting, glass fusion, and the invention of attachable shoe-mops, has enraptured her imagination for the last decade. Within her studio in the Heritage Historic District, Laura shares her passion with students and other artists, leading classes and workshops as well as kid-friendly summer art camps.

The wine pours freely and the beer bubbles over frosty pint glasses at Grape and Grains, a family-operated homebrew and wine retailer that couples an appreciation for fine craftsmanship with a DIY approach. Owners Kenny and Janel Anderson—enthusiastic experts in hops and wine, respectively—have combined their passions into an enterprise that is one part supply shop and one part educational hub. As Janel presides over the wine bar and teaches classes in wine making, Kenny leads excursions into the complex world of home brewing, showing off the various hop varieties of IPAs and the tears of ousted MPs that give English ales their signature bitterness. The couple share their zeal for spirits with all comers at least 21 years of age, granting members of Grape and Grains' beer and wine club a 10% discount and military vets a 20% discount on products and classes.

Marlen Kuszmaul, a fervent gardener and chef with 23 years of experience, combines her passions under one roof as owner and chef at Rose Cottage and Gardens. She offers a menu brimming with tasty treats, along with a Sunday buffet-style lunch. Guests can enjoy these delectables on the backyard patio, which bursts with colors from the perfectly manicured garden and plays host to weddings and other events. Rose Cottage and Gardens also offers catering services.