I own a single engine Cessna. I worked with Frank Lemon at Sterling Avionics to complete a total re-do of the instrument panel in the airplane including removing all the old "steam" gauges and replacing with all new state of the art digital equipment. My highest standard for service comes with reliability and standing behind your work. Frank did a fabulous job on the installation and everything looked perfect. However, one of the gauges was consistently malfunctioning. The supplier of that gauge kept wanting to try different things to get it fixed. Finally after three years, they refunded the money thanks to Frank's persistence and helping get it resolved. When you're flying a small plane, you are truly trusting your life to the people who help keep the equipment working. I trust Frank. Mike Rowe read more

Sterling Flight Training Center - Flight Instruction Near Me - Concord, California

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Avoid this place. Very rude owner which cancel our meeting with out calling me himself and changing his words. Before I start doing my paperworks we aggreed on something that he changed his word after I was done with my paperworks and fingerprinting. He even did not contact me himself. The prices are high and you can find out what kind of service you will get from their entance. read more

Watch this... https://youtu.be/T117Y8FHe_0 totally unacceptable. I am sure their flight school is alright but their service department is a no go. read more

STAY CLEAR!! Had them do a standard 50 hour inspection and SB Nose Gear Inspection which was under warranty on our 2017 SR22T Not only did they charge the owner for warranty work but they also billed more than twice the amount of labor hours that Cirrus maintenance manual sets forth for this work. When I called them on it "Mike" told me, well, "Cirrus doesn't let us charge enough." Fast forward 5 days and we had a manifold pressure issue checked at a real maintenance facility at Van Nuys. Upon opening the cowl we immediately noticed the Turbo Intercooler gasket (Orange) hanging down 5 inches along the side of the engine, the Turbo Intercooler mounting bracket and 4 screws were totally missing. "Mike"s answer on this one? It must have been whomever did the most recent work before us. When I asked why he signed the plane back into service without completing a competent Engine Compartment inspection (Item 4 on the 50 hour cirrus checklist) he went silent. We needed to have a check valve cleaned out yesterday and despite voicing my concerns to Cirrus Service about this, Cirrus insisted it go to Sterling. Sterling left it sitting all day and when I called to ask about progress "Mike" says "We aren't touching that plane. You complained about our work." Absolutely unprofessional. In my opinion you take your life in your hands letting these amateurs work on your plane. Several airplane owners warned us about Sterling on the field but those warnings came after the fact. Hopefully this serves as a warning to others who are considering using these bozos. Stay clear imo and stay safe. They make amateur mistakes and then cannot be bothered to accept the responsibility for those mistakes. I don't ask for perfection but I do expect at least a small amount of integrity, honesty and accountability. Sterling Aviation has none of those things in any meaningful amount. Totally unacceptable! read more

Please beware of the fake 5 star reviews. I needed warranty service on my Cirrus and they were the place I was sent. Needless to say a few thousand dollars and a attorney later I urge everyone to avoid them like the plague. read more

They said that my flight training would be about 11k but it turns out they lied and it was almost twice that price.

WOW, JUST WOW! Mike Corclan at Sterling Aviation is SOOOO AWESOME! I wanted to surprise my boyfriend for our 2 year anniversary with a flight since he's been constantly talking about getting his pilot's license. I called a couple places which quoted me high prices and had bad customer service. When I called Sterling, they transferred me to Mike who was SO helpful and flexible. We talked a little about my boyfriend getting his pilot's license and what it would take. Mike suggested trying an intro lesson first to make sure my boyfriend actually liked being behind the wheel. We scheduled the lesson with ease but before I hung up, I asked if there was anything bigger we could do... maybe fly to Half Moon Bay? He thought it was a great idea for a gift and even suggested we stop in HMB to have dinner! I told him I would think about it and he gave me his personal cell number to follow up. After a couple hours, I couldn't stop thinking about it and text him. He replied saying we could do the HMB trip and gave me all the details. Fast forward a month and I'm finally surprising my boyfriend on our anniversary. The night before, I text Mike making sure we were still on and he confirmed. Then, the next morning I get a text from him saying that the weather wasn't looking too well and that he would keep me updated. He text me constantly through the day to give me updates and made sure we planned ahead. I ended up bringing my boyfriend there anyways to make sure we could get an up-to-date forecast for our trip. When we arrived @ Sterling, Mike was super friendly and wished us happy anniversary. He even bought us a bottle of champagne to celebrate- how SWEET is that?!?! Eventually we couldn't go on the flight but we easily rescheduled with Mike. He was checking the weather constantly to make sure there was no way of going. While we were waiting, he gave us ALL the info needed to get your pilots license. Once we found out we couldn't go, he taught my boyfriend in the stimulator for 45 minutes at no extra cost which I thought was SO sweet. My boyfriend had a great time and can't stop talking about going back! Everyone at Sterling was so friendly and helpful and I'd highly recommend them for an intro lesson or for even getting your pilots license! read more

Have my annual's done here and they seem to really know Piper's. I didn't realize my plane wasn't rigged great and I got it back from annual with much improved handling. I also had a dead battery on a Saturday and they happened to be around and gave me a loaner. I paid for installation but it let me fly that day. I buy gas from their delivery services and although never the same person twice, they are courteous. The don't always seem that organized and prices are ok (not surprised based on location). I'm a fan. read more

I just started learning to fly 2-3mo ago. Can't say enough good things here. Front office staff, mechanics all seem like great folks that love working in aviation. Scheduling system and availability of planes and instructors is great - I can almost always fly whenever I want to. I had initially planned on finding a freelance instructor and just renting a plane from a flying club.... So glad I didnt. Scheduling time alone would've been a nightmare. But with Sterling, I'm rotating between 3 awesome instructors: Brad, Ralph, and Joe and each has their unique way of teaching that I can learn from in different ways. I am loving the flying experience there is nothing like it. I feel like I'm learning by leaps and bounds now and I went from an initial intimidation to full confidence I'll be licensed in no time. read more

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I recently moved from South Bay to Concord area. I was looking to find a new flying club to join. So I looked these people up and drove over to get more information. When I arrived, the door was locked. So I rang the door bell. This British woman opens the door. I figured she's trying to welcome me in. Not at all, she hold the door firm. A very rude and unwelcoming start, but I figured it's Covid related. But then she opens the door and let's me in once I told her what I'm there for. She tells me that they only have two planes and she doesn't want anybody to go on cross country flights. I ask if that means the business is good and lots of people flying? Trying to inject some positivity into the conversation. She says: no! 50% of our students stopped flying! Then she walked over it the door and pushes it open to indicate that I have to leave. Perhaps 50% of people left because there are other school/clubs that are far more polite and friendly. read more

Great FBO. Very friendly, down to earth folks here. Great service shop and flight training. Fueling, airplane maintenance, avionics work, flight training - all available here. Good lineup of aircraft and a simulator as well. Full amenities available at and around KCCR airport as well - food, lodging, etc. If you're expecting to be pampered at the Ritz and the pretentiousness that comes with it, maybe this isn't the right place for you. However - if you're looking for very knowledgeable staff, fair pricing, and a friendly atmosphere, you've come to the right place. read more

If you want to get parts stolen off your aircraft, lied to, treated like shit, and just completely swindled, well then, you're in luck. These Sh*t bags have got sticking it up your keester down to a science. They'll take your plane in for annual, act like they're doing something, and puke it back onto the ramp and charge you thousands of dollars. God knows how they're still operating, I think it has something to do with their former head of maintenance getting a job with the FAA read more

I use Sterling whenever I fly into the east bay. Their service is impeccable and you can't beat their fuel prices. Their shop is busy but somehow when I've needed work done they've always been able to help me out and the work has always been competitive and well done. I've brought in aircraft for everything from a weak battery to an annual and always been pleased with the results. Recently they acquired a Redbird simulator, which I tried out the other day. It is a motion simulator and much more realistic than the usual "static" kinds. It also has a "wrap around" view that uses multiple screens to provide views from more than just the front. Of course in IMC simulation this doesn't really matter! In many ways Sterling harks back to how service used to be in the old days when the proprietors of a business knew their customers and paid attention to what was delivered. Sterling is family run and I have very much enjoyed that. The place just has a good, relaxed feel, and you're treated like a real person. read more

Awesome flight instruction couldn't get any better. Everybody's relaxed and friendly and always wanting to help.everybody's always super excited to see you fly and happy to help you in anyway they can.and you can't beat the price is very reasonable. read more

Sterling Flight Training Center - 1109x - Flight Instruction Near Me - Concord, California

YOU MIGHT DIE....This company will cause the death of someone due to their so called "work". They will steal parts off of your plane & say you never had them. They will leave your plane completely incapable of flying. How many people have died from their work. There is already someone in the reviews that had an engine fail after they worked on it. Missing lock wire, missing ELT, missing brackets, only screwed in the panel with ONE screw. Missing flaps indicator, messed up carpet, & they said they opened the wing & checked for corrosion like asked...But they didnt you can see in the photo that they didnt unscrew a single screw yet charged for the work. When all of this happened it was reported to the FAA but the investigator is their former maintenance manager so they get the heads up so they can cover their ass all while the customer gets screwed & possibly killed. The people there have a terrible attitude & lie constantly. Other people at the field will warn you to stay away from them. I cant imagine a place that needs to be shut down more than this place...Once again I will say THEY ARE GOING TO KILL SOMEONE! Below is a video proving all of what I said is true. https://youtu.be/T117Y8FHe_0?list=TLPQMDYxMDIwMjBG0dpjxVgd4g read more

Wow, torn leather sofas, toilet plugged, no towel dispenser that works, weeds everywhere, hot inside, no A/C. Nice guy at counter but paint the walls a tan colour and redo bathrooms read more

I don't know they're so cranky here. They seem like you're putting them out whenever you ask for fuel or buy pilot supplies. Concord Jet is far more friendly and attentive. read more

Great flying club. I am currently a member at clubs at palo alto and oakland, as well as Sterling. I have been a member at like ~6 clubs since I started flying 4 years ago. I am happy to have earned my instrument rating at Sterling ~March 2016. Sterling has well maintained airplanes (cessna and piper) that are reasonably priced to rent, and I would say comparative in price to other clubs. (Aviation is by no means a cheap hobby). Unlike other clubs, Sterling does not have monthly membership fees which is an advantage. I just left a club in Palo Alto that charges $45/mon! At Sterling, you do need to purchase liability insurance; I use STARR-brand insurance which costs ~$10/mon, which is really inexpensive. In addition to being a flight training center, Sterling is an FBO with onsite mechanics, fuel trucks, etc. It's very easy to call in a fuel order (fuel is "free" and part of the hourly 'wet' Hobbs rate), and also easy to ask a mechanic about something if you have a question. The team of flight instructors at Sterling are very nice and supportive; the front staff are very helpful and friendly. Sterling uses a great electronic airplane reservation and checkout system ("flight circle"), that is easy to use. They also have a RedBird full motion simulator ("AATD") which is inexpensive, and fun to fly, and can be used for IFR training and currency, and also for to learn challenging things like crosswind landings in private pilot training. Concord is an excellent airport to learn at, since it's moderately complicated (lots of taxiways, intersecting runways, etc). It is doable though with a bit of practice and training with your instructor, and I wouldn't say the complexity of the airport should scare anyone away. The weather is VFR (ideal for student pilots) very much of the year, unlike a lot of other Bay Area airports. read more

I did my Private Pilot training here last year. I flew (by choice) with a variety of instructors there, most of whom were retired airline pilots. My main instructor had been an active flight instructor for about 20 years. I've gone on to get more ratings after we had to move out of state, but several times in dealing with Instructors at other schools (most of whom were only there for the flight hours), I've felt fortunate to have had my initial training at this flight school. read more

This is a great place to train out of KCCR. There are some highly experienced instructors (former airline and air force pilots) to learn from, and the staff is generally friendly and professional. read more

Nice folks. A good ol' fashioned flight school. Oh. You can also park, buy gas, rent a plane, rent a car (next door at Hertz). Easy to find, right near the tower. Hotel one block away. read more

If you are considering a pilots license, Sterling Aviation is the place to go. They have the planes and the staff to back it all up. It's a blast and you will become a very good new pilot. Concord makes for a fantastic training ground. Location, location location. Training grounds just a couple of minutes from the airport, lots of tower and non tower airports also within minutes. New simulator if needed. Great instructors and awesome staff. Friendly and very professional always. Go take a test flight sometime, you will agree. read more

I fly with Sterling and I can tell you that they have AWESOME instruction. All their instructors are high time meaning they're not going to string you along so that they build time off of you. They will train you to be a safe and proficient pilot. Everyone is very friendly professional. read more

Sterling Avaition has the expertise to teach future pilots. The front office is professional and knowledgeable, the flight instructors and ground school are top notch and their fleet of planes give you various options to learn in. I would highly recommend Sterling Avaition if your considering learning the art of flight (and landing). read more

I am currently finishing my training for Private Pilot's license at Sterling Aviation. My instructor is Kevin McLaughlin who is a Chief flight instructor at Sterling. Kevin is very experienced (thousands of hours of flying time) flight instructor who is passionate about teaching and fully committed to his students to become knowledgeable, confident and safe pilots. He knows how to fly any airplane whether it is a little CHEROKEE or a commercial jet. As an experienced commercial pilot Kevin holds his students to higher standards than required minimum to get the pilot's license. Kevin Soloed me, taught me how to communicate professionally on the radio, and most importantly made the learning to fly FUN! For the cross country portion of the training Kevin transformed every lesson into an unforgettable adventure to all the fun airports in the San Francisco Bay area. This allowed me to build my real life flying skills and confidence to fly and land in any airport. I always felt safe with Kevin whether I was doing "touch and gos" at Sacramento and Oakland International flying with Boeing 737s or mountain flying and landing in Nevada County Airport in Sierras. I was always impressed about his knowledge about airplanes and sharing this knowledge with his students. Because of training with Kevin now I love to fly with cross winds and enjoy the beauty of the night flying. I am really fortunate and grateful to have Kevin as such an AWESOME flight instructor! read more