Sterling Flight Training
Sterling Flight Training is a Florida-based, FAA Part 141 and Part 61 certified flight school operating two campuses (Jacksonville and Tallahassee) that trains career pilot aspirants, veterans, university students, and international learners from Private Pilot through ATP, with airline and university partnerships built around an outcome-linked employment pathway.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersJacksonville, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Sterling Flight Training does
Sterling Flight Training is a Florida-based, FAA Part 141 and Part 61 certified flight school operating two campuses — its Jacksonville headquarters at Craig Airport and a Tallahassee campus at Tallahassee International Airport (acquired as Florida Aviation Training Center in January 2024). The school trains individuals pursuing professional pilot careers, military veterans using GI Bill benefits, university students enrolled through degree-pathway partnerships, international M-1 visa students, and individual learners taking standalone courses. Course offerings range from Private Pilot certification through ATP-level training, delivered through a structured Career Pilot Program with flat-fee tuition as well as individual courses including Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot License, CFI/CFII/MEI, Multi-Engine Rating, Rusty Pilot Training, and UAS/Part 107 drone training.
Training is conducted on a modernized fleet including new Piper Archer TX aircraft and two simulator platforms: a Frasca Reconfigurable Training Device (wrap-around display) and a Redbird FMX full-motion simulator. Operations and student scheduling are run on the MYFBO third-party training management platform. The school extends its reach through three university affiliations (Purdue University Global, Liberty University, and Tallahassee State College) that integrate academic degrees with flight training, plus an airline pipeline partnership with Avelo Airlines that creates a direct graduate-to-employment pathway.
Sterling is a portfolio company of Wexford Capital LP, acquired in March 2019 from Malone Air and led by CEO Wayne Heller. The leadership team is described as airline industry veterans with more than 100 years of combined aviation experience. Revenue is generated through multi-year flat-fee Career Pilot Program tuition, standalone course tuition, aircraft and simulator rental, and university partnership enrollment. Distribution combines self-serve website enrollment, scheduled campus tours, university and veteran channel partnerships, M-1 visa international student recruitment, and PR/event-driven brand awareness. Marketing channels include the Pilot's Notes blog, organic social (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn), email newsletter, and open-house events. The school was selected as a 2026 Textron Aviation Top Hawk recipient, receiving a factory-new Cessna Skyhawk on loan for pilot workforce development.
Sterling Flight Training firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sterling Flight Training
- Legal name
- Sterling Flight Training LLC
- Website
- https://sterlingflight.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Sterling Flight Training is a Florida-based, FAA Part 141 and Part 61 certified flight school operating two campuses (Jacksonville and Tallahassee) that trains career pilot aspirants, veterans, university students, and international learners from Private Pilot through ATP, with airline and university partnerships built around an outcome-linked employment pathway.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sterling Flight Training industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Flight Training Services
- NAICS
- Flight Training (611512)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)
Keywords
Where Sterling Flight Training is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Jacksonville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Sterling Flight Training business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Career Pilot Program Tuition: Tuition-based professional pilot training with flat-rate pricing. Covers training from zero experience to professional pilot certification with direct pathway to regional airline employment.
- Individual Course Training: Standalone courses including Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot License, Flight Instructor Licenses (CFI, CFII), Multi-Engine Rating, and Unmanned Aerial System Training.
- Aircraft Rental: Aircraft rental for current pilots, including multi-engine time building. Discovery flights for prospective students.
- Simulator Training: Simulator hours integrated into curriculum for instrument rating, multi-engine rating, and commercial pilot license. Also available as standalone training for proficiency and proficiency checks.
- University Degree Programs: Partnership programs with Purdue University Global, Liberty University, and Tallahassee State College providing degree pathways in conjunction with flight training.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Career Pilot Program - Flat-rate tuition |
| Hybrid | Pay-as-you-go | Meritize Financing Option |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Stratus Financial Scholarship |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Course Pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Discovery Flight |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Sterling Flight Training product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sterling Flight Training is an FAA Part 141 and Part 61 flight school delivering structured pilot certification courses from Private Pilot through Commercial Pilot License and instructor ratings, plus simulator-based instrument, multi-engine, and commercial training. Offerings span standalone individual courses, a flat-fee Career Pilot Program with direct regional-airline employment pathway, discovery flights, and integrated university degree programs in partnership with Purdue Global, Liberty University, and Tallahassee State College.
Product overview
Sterling Flight Training operates as a Part 141 flight school with a portfolio of integrated training programs spanning from introductory discovery flights through professional pilot certification. The core offerings include individual courses (Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot License, CFI/CFII/MEI, Multi-Engine Rating, Rusty Pilot Training, UAS/Part 107) and structured career pathways (Career Pilot Program with flat-fee tuition). Training is delivered at two Florida campuses (Jacksonville and Tallahassee) using a fleet of aircraft and Redbird FMX and Frasca RTD simulators. The company extends its reach through university affiliations with Purdue University Global, Liberty University, and Tallahassee State College, and maintains airline recruitment partnerships including Avelo Airlines.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Professional Pilot Program Comprehensive training program for individuals seeking to become professional pilots, covering all FAA ratings from private pilot through ATP certification, delivered at the Jacksonville and Tallahassee campuses.
- Career Pilot Program Tuition-based flat-fee training program designed for career-focused students, offering a direct pathway from zero experience to professional pilot certification with Meritize financing options and an airline employment pathway.
- Private Pilot Program Foundational training program that provides the knowledge and skills required for obtaining an FAA private pilot certificate, offered at Sterling Flight Training's Florida campuses.
- Instrument Rating Training program for pilots to fly under instrument flight rules (IFR), including preparation for instrument proficiency checks, using Frasca RTD and Redbird FMX simulators.
- Commercial Pilot License Advanced training program for pilots seeking to be compensated for flying, meeting FAA commercial pilot requirements, available at the Jacksonville and Tallahassee campuses.
- Certified Flight Instructor (CFI/CFII/MEI) Instructor rating programs (CFI, CFII, MEI) enabling pilots to teach flight training while building flight hours toward airline employment, offered at both Florida campuses.
- Multi-Engine Rating Training program for pilots to operate multi-engine aircraft, including dedicated multi-engine time-building opportunities toward airline hiring minimums.
- Rusty Pilot Training Refresher program for inactive pilots who need to return to flying currency, covering flight review requirements.
- Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Training / Part 107 FAA Part 107 remote pilot certification training for commercial drone operations, including hands-on instruction and Part 107 test preparation.
- Discovery Flight Introductory flight experience for prospective students flown alongside a certified flight instructor to evaluate flight training at Sterling Flight Training.
- Simulator Training Flight simulation training using Redbird FMX full-motion simulator and Frasca RTD for instrument, multi-engine, and commercial pilot training, available standalone or integrated into the flight curriculum.
- Purdue University Global Professional Flight Program Affiliated professional pilot degree program enabling students to earn a Purdue University Global degree while completing FAA flight training at Sterling Flight Training's Florida campuses.
- Liberty University Aeronautics Program Affiliated Liberty University aviation degree program integrated with Sterling Flight Training, including high school dual enrollment options and Rotary Transition Pilot Pathway access.
- Tallahassee State College Accelerated Commercial Pilot Training Program Accelerated commercial pilot training program delivered in partnership with Tallahassee State College through the Sterling Flight Training Tallahassee campus.
Quantifiable outcome
- Top Hawk 2026 recipient - factory-new Cessna Skyhawk on loan for pilot workforce development
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Sterling Flight Training
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Sterling Flight Training technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Sterling Flight Training partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Textron AviationflagshipSelected as 2026 Top Hawk program recipient. Textron Aviation loans a custom-branded, factory-new Cessna Skyhawk aircraft for one year to support pilot workforce development. Part of manufacturer-school partnership model entering second decade with 55 aircraft placed since 2015.
- Florida Aviation Training Center (FL Aviation Center)coreAcquired FL Aviation Center in Tallahassee in January 2024, rebranded as Sterling Flight Training Tallahassee. Campus received FAA Part 141 approval September 2024 and VA approval January 2025.
- Avelo AirlinescorePilot recruitment partnership providing Sterling students meeting minimum requirements with direct pathway to employment at Avelo Airlines. Supports career placement outcomes for graduates.
- Purdue University GlobalcoreProfessional Flight Program partnership providing students integrated pathway to earn professional pilot certification alongside Purdue University Global degree. Includes joint career exploration events hosting.
- Liberty University School of AeronauticscoreUniversity affiliation program providing flight training pathway alongside Liberty University aviation degree. Includes high school dual enrollment opportunities and Rotary Transition Pilot Pathway program.
- Tallahassee State CollegeminorUniversity degree program partnership providing accelerated commercial pilot training pathway in Florida through affiliated campus.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Sterling Flight Training competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- CAE: Global aviation training provider with civil and military pilot training, including a growing network of ab initio academies (e.g., CAE Phoenix, CAE Oxford). Comparable as a broad incumbent spanning training equipment, simulator services, and school operations competing for the same career-pilot cohort.
- FlightSafety International: Major incumbent in professional pilot and crew training with a global network of full-flight simulators and learning centers; overlaps with Sterling on professional pilot development but skewed to corporate/advanced training rather than ab initio career pilots.
Direct peers
- Thrust Flight: Texas-based Part 141 flight school with multiple campuses offering accelerated career pilot programs and a flat-rate pricing structure similar to Sterling's Career Pilot Program. Comparable scale and target market.
- ATP Flight School: Largest Part 141 flight training chain in the US with a national multi-state footprint, offering accelerated career pilot programs from zero experience to ATP with airline partnerships. Direct comparison point for Sterling's Career Pilot Program and university channel strategy.
- Blue Line Aviation: Multi-campus Part 141 flight school offering professional pilot training with airline partnerships, located in the Southeast US. Comparable regional flight school competing with Sterling for the same Florida/Southeast career-pilot student.
- Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: Aviation trade college offering integrated flight and degree programs with FAA Part 141 certification and military/veteran student support. Comparable to Sterling's Tallahassee State College and Liberty University affiliated programs.
- US Aviation Group (US Aviation Academy): Part 141 academy with airline-sponsored pipelines (notably with Envoy Air/American Airlines) and multi-state campuses. Comparable business model with airline-direct recruitment partnerships.
- Republic Airways (LIFT Academy): Regional airline-owned ab initio flight academy (LIFT Academy) offering direct pathway to Republic Airways employment. Strong direct comparable to Sterling's Avelo partnership model.
- Skyborne Airline Academy: Airline-sponsored flight academy (originally Virgin Atlantic/now owned by L3Harris) operating structured ab initio career-pilot training with direct airline employment pathways. Closest comparable to Sterling's Avelo-aligned career pilot model.
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Premier aviation university offering integrated degree-plus-flight-training programs at Daytona Beach and Prescott campuses with airline partnerships. Comparable to Sterling's university-affiliated programs and competes for the same career-pilot student segment.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sterling Flight Training social profiles
Digital presenceSterling Flight Training compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Sterling Flight Training financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sterling Flight Training leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Sterling Flight Training funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sterling Flight Training M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sterling Flight Training
What does Sterling Flight Training do?
Sterling Flight Training is an FAA Part 141 and Part 61 flight school delivering structured pilot certification courses from Private Pilot through Commercial Pilot License and instructor ratings, plus simulator-based instrument, multi-engine, and commercial training. Offerings span standalone individual courses, a flat-fee Career Pilot Program with direct regional-airline employment pathway, discovery flights, and integrated university degree programs in partnership with Purdue Global, Liberty University, and Tallahassee State College.
Is Sterling Flight Training a public or private company?
Sterling Flight Training is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Sterling Flight Training founded?
Sterling Flight Training was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Sterling Flight Training based?
Sterling Flight Training is headquartered in Jacksonville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Sterling Flight Training make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Career Pilot Program Tuition is the primary driver. The others are individual Course Training, aircraft Rental, simulator Training and university Degree Programs.
Who are Sterling Flight Training's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are CAE and FlightSafety International. Direct peers are Thrust Flight, ATP Flight School, Blue Line Aviation, Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, US Aviation Group (US Aviation Academy), Republic Airways (LIFT Academy), Skyborne Airline Academy and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Does Sterling Flight Training have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sterling Flight Training.
What industry is Sterling Flight Training in?
Sterling Flight Training's product category is Flight Training Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDABALAC, Aviation & Aerospace. Its NAICS code is 611512.