TRAIN WITH PURPOSE/ FLY WITH CONFIDENCE/ LEAD WITH INTEGRITY
Pursuing Aviation Excellence
BT Aero Precision Flight Academy is dedicated to providing the highest quality flight training and education for aspiring pilots. Our mission is to inspire and empower the next generation of aviation professionals through cutting-edge technology, world-class flight training, and an unwavering commitment to safety, integrity, and excellence. Our goal is to develop skilled aviators and leaders ready to meet the demands of a dynamic and global aviation industry. We foster a diverse and inclusive learning environment where aspiring pilots from all backgrounds are supported and equipped to THRIVE!
What We Offer
BT Aero Precision Flight Academy is dedicated to developing safe, proficient, and confident aviators. Our training programs include Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, and Certified Flight Instructor courses, each built on structured syllabi that meet or exceed FAA Part 61 and Part 141 standards. With experienced instructors, modern curriculum tools like Sporty’s online ground school, and aircraft equipped for both primary and advanced training, we ensure every student gains the skills and knowledge needed for long-term success in aviation.
OUR FLEET
BT Aero Precision Flight Academy is proud to announce that our aircraft and certified flight instructors are now readily available for flight training and rental at our new Stockton Metropolitan Airport location. Our fleet is maintained to the highest standards, and our instructors are dedicated to providing safe, efficient, and personalized flight instruction whether you’re beginning your Private Pilot and Instrument Rating training or advancing toward your Commercial and Certified Flight Instructor certificates.
AIRCRAFT RATES
Piper Cherokee 140 – $150/hour (wet)
$140/hour (wet) with 50-hour block purchase
Cessna 172RG Cutlass – $170/hour (wet)
$160/hour (wet) with 50-hour block purchase
Mooney M-20E – $200/hour (wet)
$190/hour (wet) with 50-hour block purchase
Instructor Rate:
$75/hour — a highly competitive rate for professional, FAA-certified instruction.
All rates are structured to remain among the most competitive in the region, offering exceptional value for students and renters alike.
Come visit us at Stockton Metropolitan Airport, 6364 S. Lindbergh Street, Second Floor, Room 222 (Atlantic Aviation Building) to tour our facilities, meet our instructors, and schedule your next flight.
Contact us: (209) 207-8669
Coming Soon to
BT AERO Flight Academy!
BT Aero’s new Redbird SD/CL Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD) delivers immersive, high quality flight training in a compact, fully enclosed platform. With 260° wrap around visuals, worldwide terrain, and realistic VFR and IFR simulation, students can sharpen skills and rehearse real world routes and emergency procedures before ever taking off. The CL version adds a control loading yoke with force feedback for increased realism. Supporting more than 30 aircraft types, from classic six packs to modern glass panels, the SD/CL provides exceptional flexibility and FAA-approved loggable training time. BT Aero offers this advanced training experience at a highly competitive rate of just $80 per hour.
Flight Courses We Offer
Launch Your Flight Training With BT AERO
At BT AERO Precision Flight Academy, we believe in transparency and clarity when it comes to training. Below you’ll find realistic cost estimates for each of our programs under both Part 61 and Part 141. These figures reflect what most students can expect based on actual training experience, not just FAA minimums.
Flight Instruction Courses We Offer
Services for Pilots and Aircraft Owners
In addition to our core training programs, BT AERO offers specialized services designed to support pilots and aircraft owners with flexible, professional solutions
Mobile Aviation Maintenance
Our certified technicians, including an Inspection Authorization (IA) Mechanic, can come to your airport to provide inspections, troubleshooting, and routine maintenance. With IA authorization, we are able to perform annual inspections in addition to regular service work, helping minimize downtime and ensure compliance.
Aircraft Relocation Support
BT AERO provides aircraft relocation services conducted by experienced commercial pilots, operating strictly under Part 91 flight rules. These relocations are offered solely as an owner-support service to move aircraft between airports for training, maintenance, or repositioning. (We do not provide charter or passenger/cargo carriage.)
Aerial Imaging Services
BT AERO provides professional aerial imaging for agricultural, construction, and infrastructure applications. From crop health surveys to construction progress documentation and infrastructure inspections, our trained pilots and imaging crews deliver reliable, data-driven results tailored to your needs.
Our Core Values
Safety Above All:
We prioritize safety as the foundation of all flight training, ensuring every pilot-in-training operates with a safety-first mindset in every phase of flight.
Excellence in Airmanship:
We are committed to producing highly competent and confident
pilots through rigorous instruction, precision flying, and continuous performance improvement.
Integrity and Responsibility:
We instill a culture of professionalism and ethical conduct,
holding ourselves accountable to the highest standards of behavior in aviation.
Diversity and Inclusion in Aviation:
We embrace and celebrate the diverse backgrounds,
cultures, and perspectives of our students and staff, recognizing that a stronger aviation
community is built through inclusivity.
Adaptability and Innovation:
We integrate modern training tools, flight simulators, and
industry-relevant practices to ensure our students are prepared for the evolving landscape of
aviation.
Leadership and Professionalism in the Cockpit:
We develop future aviation leaders by
promoting discipline, situational awareness, clear communication, and respect for standard
operating procedures.
Environmental Stewardship in Flight:
We encourage environmentally conscious flying
habits and promote awareness of aviation’s impact, preparing students to be responsible
stewards of the skies.
Meet the Team
Bill Beardsley
Owner
Aviation has been a passion of mine since childhood. Growing up in California’s Napa Valley, I was always fascinated by airplanes and one day flying them. That passion carried me into the United States Navy, where I served as a Structural Hydraulic Mechanic on the F/A-18 Hornet. I was stationed at Cecil Field with VFA-37 and later at China Lake with VX-9, where I gained invaluable hands-on experience maintaining some of the most advanced aircraft at the time.
In 2012, I earned my Private Pilot Certificate, which opened the door to experiencing aviation from the pilot’s seat. Since then, I have enjoyed exploring new airports, sharing aviation with my family and continuing to grow as a pilot while continuing to dabble in the technical side of aviation.
Professionally, I have advanced into a leadership role as a Senior Engineering Manager, where I blend technical expertise with team leadership. Along the way, I co-founded BT AERO Precision Flight Academy, a veteran-owned company focused on providing excellent training to anyone interested in becoming a pilot, offering aerial imaging services, and providing top-tier aircraft maintenance.
Aviation has shaped every stage of my life—first as a mechanic, then as a pilot, and now as a business owner. I remain committed to growing BT AERO, supporting my fellow aviators, and carrying forward the same enthusiasm that first drew me to aviation.
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Mark Thompson
Co-Founder/Chief Flight Instructor
I am a seasoned aviator, educator, and co-founder of BT Aero Precision Flight Academy. With more than two decades of combined military and civilian aviation experience, I have built a career centered on safety, training, and operational excellence.
I began his aviation journey as a United States Air Force C-130 Loadmaster, where I gained extensive knowledge in aircrew operations, flight coordination, and mission execution. Following my military service, I transitioned into the civilian sector, holding roles as a Flight Coordinator, Aviation Dispatcher, and Aerial Imaging Lead Pilot.
I hold a Master’s degree in Aeronautics, Aviation Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Professional Aeronautics with a minor in Aviation Safety, complemented by multiple FAA certifications including Commercial Pilot, Flight Instructor (CFI), and Advanced Ground Instructor. My experience spans flying and instructing in a variety of aircraft, including the Cessna 172, Piper PA-28, and Mooney M-20.
As Chief Flight Instructor at BT Aero, I am committed to developing safe, proficient pilots who are well-prepared to meet today’s aviation standards. I combine my passion for flying with a structured, student-focused approach to training, drawing from the FAA Airman Certification Standards, the Airplane Flying Handbook, and my own operational expertise. Dedicated to serving the community. My vision for BT Aero is to create a flight academy rooted in professionalism, innovation, and a strong commitment to safety.
Alexa Ochoa
Certified Flight Instructor
From a young age, I’ve been captivated by aviation, and turning that passion into a career has been one of the most rewarding decisions of my life. Beginning my journey in the industry early on—and continuing my college education while teaching—has taught me valuable lessons in professionalism, discipline, and the importance of continuous growth.
As a woman in aviation, I’m driven to inspire and mentor others who are pursuing their own goals in flight training. I take pride in creating a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment where every student feels encouraged to challenge themselves and build confidence in the cockpit. My mission is to share the same excitement and fulfillment that aviation has brought me, helping each student develop into a skilled and passionate pilot.
Matthew Kopiko
Certified Flight Instructor, CFII
My passion for aviation began at a young age, inspired by family travels to the Philippines. A Bay Area native, I started flight training during his time as a student at Heritage High School in Brentwood. At Heritage, I was an active cadet in Air Force Junior ROTC, eventually leading as Cadet Commander.
An alumnus of Purdue University, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management with a minor in Political Science, completing my advanced flight training while attending Purdue.
My aviation experience, now as a commercial pilot and flight instructor, has taken me to various airports across the United States and Canada. I am dedicated to helping students achieve their aviation goals, guiding them to become safe, skilled, and growth-minded pilots.
I am a proud recipient of the 2020 Chief of Staff of the Air Force Private Pilot Scholarship and the 2019 Patriots Jet Team Foundation Scholarship.