Planespotting Guides for Finland's Airports and Airfields

Spotting locations and the best spotting hotel rooms for planespotters travelling to airports and airfields in Finland. Use the hotlinks above or scroll down for spotting information on spotting locations, airfield hangar access, aviation museums, preserved aircraft. Plus all the information has been plotted as Points of Interest and can be downloaded to your SatNavs, Google Earth and Google Maps to make planning your spotting trips abroad so much easier and helping you log many more

PRESERVED & STORED AIRCRAFT IN FINLAND - their locations are marked in the Spotting in Finland download

CCCP-19260 Ka-26 is preserved in the Polar Cranes yard between junctions 37 and 38 on on the east side of Motorway R12/E12/3 connecting Tampere to Helsinki. It's very easy to see and with faded "CCCP-" markings
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HELSINKI-HERNESAARI HELIPORT (EFHE)

Spotting Info
In the south of town, at the end of the docks. Friendly, ask for access. Copterline only operate during the week and therefore their hangar is locked up at weekends.

HELSINKI-VANTAA AIRPORT (EFHK/HEL) - TWR 118.6 & 118.850 / APP 119.9

All 3 Finland airports - their locations, hotels, viewing areas and preserved aircraft have been plotted on Google Maps and Google Earth's detailed satellite imagery and can be added to your SatNav - click to download. Planning your spotting trip has never been easier. Please read the Download Instructions for example screenshots and further details

Airside Spotting Info
These viewing spots are marked in the Spotting in Finland download. You can check in as early as you like, and once through security you're free to wander, with just the gates beyond 30 only accessible via passport control and then you can't get back out. By walking airside to the extreme end of domestic Terminal 1 you have a view of the biz apron. OH-ABB Junkers A50 is displayed hanging from the roof of Terminal 2 near gate 28. The right corner of Terminal 2 looks out over all 3 runways, all movements can be seen and is clearly the best place to stay. You will also see the cargo and GA ramps but these are distant. The 'Via Lounge', AY's business lounge, has great views over the international stands and runway movements, though it can be difficult to read them off depending on wind direction. With SBS you won't miss anything and there are plenty of power points around and with comfortable seating. Saturday afternoon/evening is very slow though other reports have suggested the mornings are fairly quiet. There does seem to be a steady trickle of arrivals throughout the day though. Excellent for Finnair, FinnComm and Blue 1. Most of Finnair's fleet returns between 1500-1700, including the widebodies, and with everything turning round quickly, by 1800 the airport is quiet again. Travelling from the UK to Helsinki you will arrive at the non-Schengen gates, from where there are limited views. Exit the non-Schengen area via passport control, go landside, then go back airside again, and head for the opposite end of the terminal to which you arrived.

Landside Terminal Area Spotting Info
No views from the terminals landside. For cargo, walk to the end of Terminal 1 - any visitors that park side on can be read off with binoculars. Further to the right is the biz apron and across runway 15/33 is the GA area and some can be read off from here. Simply walk through the International Terminal (2), following signs for the Domestic Terminal (1), go through the connecting passageway and right through the small Domestic Terminal to the end of the building and take the last door out onto the road outside. Then follow the road along the perimeter fence to log what is there. There's also a small car park by the Blue 1 building with similar views. From the small car, keep walking past the cargo sheds and you'll get to the Jetflite hangars. It's a bit of a walk but is often worth it. There is a free airport bus every 10 minutes or so back from a stop nearby. At the other end of the terminal area, you can walk through the Hilton car park toward the maintenance area, and you will probably find a few Finnair and Blue 1 aircraft parked, especially at weekends and the stored DC3 is here too.

Finnish Aviation Museum
Just off airport is the Finnish Aviation Museum. It's approximately 15 minutes walk from Terminal 2 and with around 70 exhibits with maybe some more in storage that you might need to ask about to see. Turn right out of Terminal 2 and follow the road round the Hilton and turn right straight after it down Lentajantie. Keep looking right during your walk as you may be able to read aircraft off as you walk including the stored DC3. The widebodies are normally on stand between 1500-1800 and there are often aircraft parked this side of the hangars that can't be seen from the airside gates. At the end turn left and then turn right at the major crossroads before the underpass onto Tietotie. Head straight over the next major crossroads, round the bends and it's on the left. If you don't fancy the walk, catch the free long term car park bus (P50) or the local buses do stop out side 2.5EUR - go to the information desk and they will give you the bus numbers you need. The museum is 200 yards past the long term car park entrance. Open daily from 1100-1800, admission is 6EUR for adults and 3EUR for children.

Planespotting Hotels - their locations are marked in the Spotting in Finland download

At the Hilton Hotel, rooms 402-410 evens inclusive overlook the 3 runways but no views of biz or cargo. Movements on 22L/04R and 15/33 can be read easily from here. 22R/04L is distant but you should get them on taxi in or out. Also views from the 5th floor fire exit. Anything lower than the 4th floor is not high enough for airport views.
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The Holiday Inn Hotel has a free shuttle bus departing the airport every 20 minutes from bus stop 11 outside the International Terminal Arrivals Level. Whilst this hotel is of good quality, the room rates, food and drink are all extremely expensive.
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The Bonus Inn is close to the airport but far enough away to have a reasonable room rate. No views obviously but they have a free airport shuttle bus taking 5 minutes and a small kitchenette (microwave, cooker, sink, utensils) for you to cook your own meals. A good addition as Finland is very expensive. There's a Jumbo Supermarket 5-10 minutes walk back towards the airport off the main road to buy provisions for your meals.
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For photo spots off airport requiring a car, visit Finnish Aviation Photography
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TAMPERE-PIRKKALA AIRPORT (EFTP/TMP) - TWR 118.7 / APP 126.2

Airside Spotting Info
H-45 Harakka II glider is preserved hanging from the roof in Terminal One. Friendly airport, ask at the aero club hangars for access. Preserved at the Aero Club are 25 red MiG25 and 35 red MiG35. At the air base on the south side, DK-237 Draken J35 is the pole mounted gate guard. Their locations are marked in the Spotting in Finland download.