The Borlänge based company Sterner Aero started helicopter operations back in 1975. The company had its roots in the company Siljansflyg, which was established by Sterner brothers in the 50's. The addition of helicopters to the large fixed-wing operation was the result of a merge with the Mora based company AB Helikoptertjänst (est 1965). Sterner was focused in various agricultural applications, like liming, fertilizing and crop dusting. Its large fleet of helicopters and fixed wings were deployed throughout the country. The company had a close cooperation with the American company Helijet, which was operating the same kind of agricultural activity in the US. The Mora based company Mora Helikopter was purchased by Sterner in 1980. Sterner Aero acquired the famous company Jämtlands Aero (1) in 1982, which had been founded by the diseased legend Gunnar 'Spökis' Andersson in the 50's. Sterner also bought the operator Östersunds Helikopter in the mid-80's. 1988 saw the birth of the joint venture Heliflyg, which was a development of Heli AB. Sterner Aero was acquired by Heli AB (which subsequently became Heliflyg) on 4 july 1988. The operations were gradually transferred to Heliflyg. The merge into the new operation took nearly six years. This deal was the most extensive fusion in the Swedish helicopter business this far, and it united at least 8 different companies through Sterner's and Heli's recent incorporations. It involved Fjällflyg i Kiruna, Heliflyg Nordic, Scandinavian Heliservice and Turistflyg i Arjeplog through Heli AB, and the Sterner companies Jämtlands Aero (1) and Östersunds Helikopter. The new business, Heliflyg, established its main base in Sterner's former facilities at Dala Airport in Borlänge.