He started the company with one JetRanger helicopter, offering pleasure flights and flying services to local companies. Sterling quickly earned a reputation for excellence and grew from strength to strength, opening a second base at Silverstone Racing Circuit. By the mid 90s the company had a fleet of four helicopters and a Beech 90 King Air aeroplane, offering services to Europe, Africa and Asia.
 
Today the fleet has grown to ten helicopters and five aeroplanes with a staff of 35, including 15 pilots, five flight observers, nine engineers and six ground personnel at its Norwich headquarters.
 
Sterling remains Norfolk’s premier aviation company, attracting clients nationally and worldwide. Safety and excellence form the core of the company’s ethos, earning it contracts to operate the East Anglian Air Ambulance and Norfolk Police Air Services, along with major filming contracts and vital survey work.