# 🔵 EFOU - Oulu

[![oulu_airport2.jpg](https://wiki.vatsim-scandinavia.org/uploads/images/gallery/2023-07/scaled-1680-/oulu-airport2.jpg)](https://wiki.vatsim-scandinavia.org/uploads/images/gallery/2023-07/oulu-airport2.jpg)

Oulu Airport is not only the <b>second busiest in Finland</b>, but also serves as a significant gateway to Northern Scandinavia. Situated approximately 11 kilometers west of the Oulu city center, this airport plays an instrumental role in connecting the Northern part of the country with the rest of Finland.

The airport, operated by Finavia, handled over a million passengers in 2019 and serves as a hub for diverse types of air traffic. While it primarily serves commercial airlines, it also supports a variety of other aircraft including general aviation, parachute jump flights, private jets and medical helicopter service.

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<table style="min-width:100%; text-align:center">
  <tr>
    <th class="tablerow">IATA</th>
    <th class="tablerow">ICAO</th>
    <th class="tablerow">Charts</th>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>OUL</td>
    <td>EFOU</td>
    <td><a href="https://aip.intor.fi/ad/efou.html">Finland AIP - EFOU</a></td>
  </tr>
</table>


<h2>ATC positions</h2>

Oulu is a controlled airport with aerodrome control- and approach control service. This service can be combined (tower-radar), or separate.

<table style="min-width:100%">
  <tr>
    <th class="tablerow">Logon code</th>
    <th class="tablerow">Call sign</th>
    <th class="tablerow">Frequency</th>
    <th class="tablerow">Responsibilities</th>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>EFOU_TWR</td>
    <td>OULU TOWER</td>
    <td>124.400</td>
    <td>Ground movement, Oulu Control Zone</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>EFOU_R_TWR</td>
    <td>OULU TOWER</td>
    <td>124.400</td>
    <td>Ground movement, Oulu Control Zone & Terminal Area</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>EFOU_APP</td>
    <td>OULU RADAR</td>
    <td>118.150</td>
    <td>Oulu Terminal Area</td>
  </tr>
</table>

<h2>Ground layout</h2>

[![Zxhrunway.png](https://wiki.vatsim-scandinavia.org/uploads/images/gallery/2023-07/scaled-1680-/zxhrunway.png)](https://wiki.vatsim-scandinavia.org/uploads/images/gallery/2023-07/zxhrunway.png)

- The main apron is located north of runway 30 threshold
- Stands 13 to 16 are equipped with jetbridges
- General aviation aircraft are usually parked at Apron 3 (taxiway G)
- Medical helicopter base is located at the end of taxiway V

<p class="callout danger">Military apron is located south of the runway at taxiway M.</p>

<h3>Runways</h3>

Oulu is equipped with one runway 12/30. The preferred runway is considered to be runway 12 for arrivals and runway 30 for departures.

Take-offs from the runway intersections can be performed upon the pilot's request the traffic situation permitting <b>0500-2000 UTC (0400-1900 UTC)</b>.

<h3>Currently available stands</h3>

<iframe src="https://stands.vatsim-scandinavia.org/?icao=EFOU&frameless=true" aria-hidden="true" width="100%" height="440px"></iframe>

<h3>Stand restrictions</h3>

[![efou_stands.png](https://wiki.vatsim-scandinavia.org/uploads/images/gallery/2023-07/scaled-1680-/efou-stands.png)](https://wiki.vatsim-scandinavia.org/uploads/images/gallery/2023-07/efou-stands.png)

<h2>En-route clearance</h2>

<p class="callout danger">Please, do not include the SID in your flight plan route.</p>

By default the local tower controller will give clearance to requested cruise flight level.

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<h3>Departure with SID:</h3>

<table>
  <tr>
    <td class="borderless">🎧</td>
    <td class="borderless">Fastair 312, cleared to Helsinki, runway 12, Miknu 4A departure, flight level 350, squawk 5542<br>
      <span>Fastair 312, selvä Helsinkiin, kiitotie 12, Miknu 4A lähtöreitti, lentopinta 350, koodaa 5542</span>
    </td>
  </tr>
</table>

<p class="callout info">SID route is mandatory for jet aircraft with sufficient equipment  from runway 12 due noise abatement.</p>

<h3>Departure with direct route:</h3>

<table>
  <tr>
    <td class="borderless">🎧</td>
    <td class="borderless">Fastair 312, cleared to Helsinki, runway 12, direct Ibosu, flight level 150, expect radar climb, squawk 5542<br>
      <span>Fastair 312, selvä Helsinkiin, kiitotie 12, lähdöstä suoraan Ibosu, lentopinta 150, odota tutka nousua, koodaa 5542</span>
    </td>
  </tr>
</table>

<h2>Approach</h2>

<p class="callout danger">Please, do not include the STAR in your flight plan route.</p>

<p class="callout info">Runway 12 is the only runway with an <b>ILS approach system</b>. This makes runway 12 the preferred runway during Low Visibility Operations.</p>

- <b>ILS Z approach</b> is used for RNAV capable aircraft
- <b>ILS Y approach</b> is used for non-RNAV aircraft (based on VOR navigation)

When approaching runway 30, pilots may expect to be cleared for RNP approach.

Arriving aircraft may be cleared for the approach already on initial contact with the local controller. Please be ready to copy any clearance and instructions.

<h3>Phraseology example:</h3>

- On initial contact with approach control, please include the following:
  - Call sign
  - Current flight level
  - Assigned flight level
  - Aircraft type (and wake turbulence category if necessary)
  - Received ATIS broadcast
  - Other restrictions given by previous controller

<table>
  <tr>
    <td class="borderless">👨‍✈️</td>
    <td class="borderless">Oulu tower, Finnair 4MW, passing flight level 202 for flight level 100, Airbus 320, information Q<br>
      <span>Oulun torni, Finnair 4MW, läpäisen lentopinnan 202 lentopinnalle 100, Airbus 320, tiedotus Q</span>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td class="borderless">🎧</td>
    <td class="borderless">Finnair 4MW, Oulu tower, radar contact, continue descent to 2300 feet, QNH 1032, cleared ILS Z approach runway 12, right circuit, report established on localizer, for information next 20 miles below flight level 95 uncontrolled airspace<br>
      <span>Finnair 4MW, Oulun torni, tutkayhteys, jatka laskeutumista 2300 jalkaan, QNH 1032, selvä ILS Z lähestymiseen kiitotie 12, oikea kierros, ilmoita suuntasäteessä, tiedoksi seuraavat 20 mailia alle lentopinnan 95 valvomatonta ilmatilaa</span>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td class="borderless">👨‍✈️</td>
    <td class="borderless">Continue descent to 2300 feet, QNH 1032, cleared ILS Z approach runway 12, right circuit, wilco, Finnair 4MW<br>
      <span>Jatkan laskeutumista 2300 jalkaan, QNH 1032, selvä ILS Z lähestymiseen kiitotie 12, oikea kierros, ilmoitan, Finnair 4MW</span>
    </td>
  </tr>
</table>

<h2>Operations in Low Visibility Conditions</h2>

Runways 12 and 30 are approved for Low Visibility Procedures for Take-offs (LVPTO).

- LVPTO is used when the RVR value is 550 M or less.

Runway 12 is approved for ILS CAT II approaches. The approach procedure has the following minimas OCA (H):

- Category A: 112 (65)
- Category B: 124 (77)
- Category C: 136 (89)
- Category D: 152 (105)

There is also LPV approaches available for both runways (Lateral Precision with Vertical Guidance Approach). See the <a href="https://aip.intor.fi/ad/efou.html">RNP approach charts</a> for more information.

<h3>LVP initiation</h3>

Low Visibility Procedures for all air traffic will become effective when the RVR value decreases to <b>550 M</b>.

<h2>Medical helicopter</h2>

Note! The base of medical helicopter is located at the airport. The call sign of the medical helicopter is “Finnhems”.

<h3>General information</h3>

<table id="infoTable" style="min-width:100%;">
  <tr>
    <td>ICAO call sign</td>
    <td>FIH 50</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>SSR code</td>
    <td>0005</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Agreed route</td>
    <td>DCT,  MAX 1300 FT</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>base flight rules</td>
    <td>VFR (IFR visual take-off and landing approved)</td>
  </tr>
</table>

<p class="callout info">Medical helicopter pilot shall select <b>transponder code 0005</b> prior to contacting Oulu Tower.</p>

<h3>Departure from base</h3>

- VTOL PC1 take-off from FATO
- Initial climb in runway direction H110 or H290 (picture)

<p class="callout info">ATC will give VFR clearance (normally direct en-route, 1300 feet or below) and ask pilot to report when airborne. No take-off clearance is given when departing directly from apron.</p>

[![EFOU_FIH2.png](https://wiki.vatsim-scandinavia.org/uploads/images/gallery/2023-05/scaled-1680-/1800c723f7298f3fdf0ca39f30f506ff.png)](https://wiki.vatsim-scandinavia.org/uploads/images/gallery/2023-05/1800c723f7298f3fdf0ca39f30f506ff.png)

<h3>Arrival to base</h3>

- Final approach in runway direction H110 or H290
- Aimpoint FIH FATO
- VTOL PC1 landing

<p class="callout info">ATC will normally give a clearance for approach to own base and ask the pilot to report on ground. No landing clearance is given when arriving directly to apron.</p>

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