Since he was a young boy, flying had always fascinated Birger Sterner. Aviation was
special to him, so when he came to America in 1947 he decided to finally learn to fly. His
choice was a flying school formed by a group of World War II veterans after their return
from Europe.


In 1957, he started an aviation company in Sweden called Siljansflyg. His brother, Bo,
joined him in 1965 and they changed the company name to Sterner Aero AB. In the
beginning, Sterner Aero was intended to be an instructional facility, but business
expanded to the point of operating over 25 fixed-wing craft and helicopters. With time
services included commuting, air taxi, forestry, and agricultural operations, covering
Sweden, but also Norway, Holland, Germany, and Africa.


In 1976 Weyerhaeuser visited Sterner Aero's forestry operation and subsequently offered
a 3-year contract to fertilize forest areas in Oregon and Washington. The following year
Heli-Trade and Heli-Jet were formed. Rod Kvamme, at the time working for
Weyerhaeuser, was invited to become part owner in both companies. This partnership
eventually reached all corners of the traditional utility helicopter market, building up a
fleet of 11 Bell 205A-1 helicopters and establishing a Bell Customer Service Facility.


In 1987, Heli-Jet, with Rod at the helm, split with Heli-Trade and focused solely on
operations. Heli-Trade continued with the Bell Service Center, the sale of aircraft,
engines, parts and the marketing of improvements through Heli-Conversions.


In 1991, retired LTC Vaden Francisco, Product Manager of the US Army's Huey Fleet,
was hired as Vice President of Heli-Conversions to strengthen sales of the range of
"improvements" to foreign military.


In 1998, Birger Sterner retired from the companies, and Mr. Francisco became the
President of Heli-Trade and Heli-Conversions. A few years later Heli-Conversions
became a division of Heli-Trade Corp. In 2000, the Company relocated to the Eugene
airport and Vaden expanded Heli-Trade's capabilities and services by becoming the sole
US Company to offer for lease the Bell 205A-1 series helicopter. Since that time, they
have successfully supported two lease aircraft and have purchased 5 more Bell 205s.


In addition to our leasing we are known for several STCd improvements to 205 and UH-1
Series helicopters. Some of our best know improvements are the Centrisep Particle
Separator, the On-Line Engine Wash Kit and the Howell EGT/MGT Engine Cycle
Counter. Click here for downloads These improvements have saved operators
thousands of dollars in components and maintenance hours.


Heli-Trade is located at the south end of the Mahlon Sweet airport in Eugene, OR, 
Click Here For Map. We are a Bell Helicopter Textron Customer Service Facility
(CSF) and FAA Repair Station. We have on staff factory trained maintenance personnel
to provide component, airframe, and engine maintenance for the Bell 204, 205, 206, and
212 series helicopters and the T53 engine series.