A week or so ago I went to Finland for the first time in order to attend and the 100 years of the Finnish Air Force.
It was from the 14th – 19th June 2018 and would include all aspects of aviation, commercial airlines, commuters, business jets, flying clubs, military transports as well as fighters and finally a good selection of museums and
‘MiG /Draken’s on sticks’. We even noted a balloon and a couple of AutoGyro’s for good measure. It was very well organised by Grant Robinson (You may remember my reports of August 2017 in relation to the Moscow and environs trip I did with him last year) and again all places we planned to visit were contacted before the trip to ensure maximum benefit for our small group. For myself, the trip is exactly what I wanted, the variety of aircraft mentioned above was the key for me. I believe that my fellow travellers wanted the same.
I will provide reports of all the places that were visited, with a short commentary of information, however be warned, military items will be in these reports. However if I may provide all these reports, it will give you an excellent feel as to how the tour progressed and had been organised for the benefit of all those who were on it.
The days were long, some even longer than others. In addition, the long daylight hours in Finland at this time of year really did play with your minds, especially when you were ready for bed, but it was still very light at midnight!!
Over the three and a half days travelling, we did around 1000 miles.
Whilst I am still dealing with inputting my records, I can tell you that I only had in total 104 Finnish aircraft presently registered on the civil register noted and 36 military. After my trip I had increased those figures to 468 and 150 respectively and I still have to do my show report that had both military and civil participants. I also cleared my Finnair fleet by the skin of my teeth on the last day on departure.
Hotel:
Whilst at Helsinki for the first two nights and then the final night, we were in walking distance of the terminal, although the hotel does have a courtesy bus
We stayed at the Scandic Helsinki Aviacongress, Robert Huberin Tie 4, Vantaa, 01510 Finland. Whilst this did not give specific views of the airport, we certainly were able to pick the arrivals and departures that we required by going up to the 7th / top floor. we were ok with three in a room.
For the other two nights either side of show day and further North at Jyväskylä (the furthest North that I have ever been (on land)) we stayed in a youth hostel, two in a room. Basic with shared facilities, but a surprisingly good breakfast. It was at:
Outdoor Hostel Laajis Laajavuorentie 15, Jyväskylä, 40740, Finland. A few photo’s at my link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jlt_egcc74/albums/72157668535057587
From a travel point of view it was quite an easy trip, electric converter plugs were the same as mainland Europe and they use the Euro as the currency, so I had no need to buy any more and then re-convert with the extra expense that entails.
I had read that it was an expensive country, however I thought that the food that we bought in the supermarkets were not that much more than in the UK, although the beer definitely was.
Travel in Finland appears to be quite easy, the roads are in good condition, certainly considering the extreme weather that they get.
I will start my reports, both my departure and transit airports will be first, then the Finland tour will begin with Helsinki-Vantaa, the main capital airport.
Regards
John
Trip Airfield Albums https://www.flickr.com/photos/jlt_egcc74/albums
Country Folders https://www.flickr.com/photos/jlt_egcc74/collections
Oxford Aviation Group https://www.oxfordaviationgroup.co.uk/future-tours/