Managing Director
Gerry founded Sterling in 1989 and remains at the helm to this day. His aviation career spans more than 40 years, beginning as an engineering officer in the RAF, rising to helicopter pilot and instructor. His military career brought him to RAF Coltishall where he flew Whirlwinds and Sea King helicopters as Flight Commander on a Search & Rescue Squadron.
During his flying career he amassed more than 9000 flying hours and was a CAA qualified examiner and instructor, flying all of Sterling’s helicopters. Having retired from flying, he now concentrates on managing the company he built over 18 years. He is a keen yachtsman and traveller, and in his spare time spends many happy hours sailing on the Norfolk Broads. He lives near Norwich with his family.
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Head of Flight Operations / Chief Pilot
 Luke has a wealth of experience flying helicopters and fixed wing craft. A former Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm helicopter instructor and examiner, he flew over 3000 hours in Sea King and Gazelle Helicopters in military operations worldwide and has more than 7000 hours overall. He also represented the Royal Navy Helicopter Display Team. He flew Boeing and Airbus aircraft commercially before joining Sterling in 2006.
Luke has overall responsibility for Sterling’s flight operations and flies the BK117, BO105, AS355 and JetRanger in a variety of roles including air ambulance, police, surveying, filming and training. Luke grew up in Norfolk and lives on the coast with his wife and sons. He is a keen hockey player, golfer and supporter of Norwich City Football Club.
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Operations Manager
Chris trained as a professional golfer before succumbing to a greater passion – flying. He learned to fly at Cambridge airport and gained an instructor rating, teaching ab initio pilots on a Robinson R22 helicopter. He now has 3000 hours under his belt, has a commercial pilots licence and flies the JetRanger, AS355 and Schweizer helicopters.
Chris is responsible for the smooth running of all aspects of operational flying at Sterling and is part of the pilot team for charter, pleasure flying, training and survey work. He still finds time for golf, playing off a handicap of four.
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Chief Engineer
Tim and his team of eight staff maintain Sterling’s fleet of helicopters and planes in tip top condition. He learned his trade as an Army aircraft technician, working on a variety of aircraft including Bell 47, the Scout and Gazelle. He reached the rank of Sergeant, serving at Middle Wallop, Netheravon and Germany as well as tours in Ireland, Belize and Norway. He later worked with crop spraying helicopters throughout Europe and Africa. He joined Sterling in 1993 as Chief Engineer and holds group licences on Piston and Turbine Helicopters. In his spare time Tim is a keen motor racing enthusiast.
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Quality Manager
 It’s Steve’s job to ensure Sterling’s reputation for excellence and flight safety is consistently maintained, implementing the industry’s stringent rules and regulations. He began an apprenticeship with Rolls Royce at 15, training on gas turbine engines for helicopters and hovercraft. His career path took him to Bristow and British Airways Helicopters, where he gained 15 years’ experience in maintenance support of offshore helicopters at Aberdeen, Sumburgh, Humberside and finally Beccles. He also worked for Air Hanson as Deputy Quality Manager and also KLM. Steve joined the team at Sterling in 2001 as Quality Manager. In his spare time he is a keen sailor, taking to the Norfolk Broads whenever he can.
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