
Small school. BIG heart.
We’re a local flight school on a charming small-town airport in the scenic Sierra Nevada foothills. Conveniently located below the snow and above the fog at 1,500 feet in elevation, we’ve been training tomorrow’s aviators with today’s experts for 14 years.

Community
We are all about our community. The Mach 5 team hosts regular gatherings that bring pilots together to share their passions with each other and the next generation of aviators. We offer safety and training programs, group fly-out adventures, tours of restricted facilities, the chance to give back by volunteering at events that inspire young people, airshows, BBQs and so many other aviation related events—all of which will add to YOUR experience roster, knowledgebase, and list of friends. Check out our social media links at the bottom of this page to see recent activities and drop by the ‘Clubhouse’ anytime to see for yourself what sets Mach 5 apart from others!

Dedicated To Excellence
We are a veteran-owned company and deeply rooted in a tradition of excellence, whether in the military, airlines, or general aviation flying communities. We are proud to continue the legacy of our predecessors in the way we teach our students, maintain our airplanes, and manage our operation. Above all, we are dedicated to safety, integrity, service before self, and excellence in all we do.
Ownership & Management
Mach 5 is owned and managed by a team of experienced, passionate pilots.

Dennis Pearson
President/Co-Founder
Major Dennis Pearson,USAF (Ret) is a retired F-15C Fighter Pilot and Gold Seal Flight Instructor. Read more…

Darcy Brewer
Vice President/Co-Founder
Darcy is a long-time pilot and the Executive Director for the non-profit California Capital Airshow. Read more…

Chester Gault
Chief Instructor
Chester is a USAF Veteran, retired 787 Captain, and 40+ year Flight Instructor. Read more…

Andrew Moon
Chief Instructor
Andrew is a Corporate Jet Pilot, part-time Law Enforcement Pilot, and Gold Seal Flight Instructor. Read more…

Susanne Flom
General Manager
Susanne is the fearless leader of our team, including day-to-day operations, community engagement, special events, and educational programming. Read more…