VFR in Finland
Weather minima
The minimum weather conditions where an aircraft can fly under Visual Flight Rules is described in the table below.
| Airspace class | Minimum visibility | Minimum cloud ceiling |
|---|---|---|
| D (Control Zone) | 5 km | BKN or OVC 1000 ft |
| For Special VFR, the minima may be reduced to: | ||
| D (Control Zone) | 1500 m | BKN or OVC 600 ft |
- All Control Zones in Finland are
Dairspace - Check ilmailusaa.fi for weather information
Pilots may also fly in IMC conditions. It is recommended to add RMK/SIMULATED VMC to the flight plan.
Charts
- eAIP Finland
- From the left menu, navigate to
AD 2for controlled aerodromes - VAC charts are the most useful ones for VFR flying
- From the left menu, navigate to
- lentopaikat.fi
- Information about uncontrolled aerodromes
- flyk.com or Fintraffic Sky
- Interactive maps with airspace and weather information
- Local TRA Charts
- Local Training Areas around airports (in CTR and TMA)
Charts provide the pilots essential information for the flight such as:
- Traffic circuit direction and altitude
- Visual Reporting Points
- Airspace structure, vertical limits, holding areas
- landmarks for visual navigation
- Apron locations, ground layout
Flight Plan
Origin and Destination
Use the ICAO four-letter code e.g. EFOU in the departure and destination fields. If the aerodrome does not have a code, use ZZZZ and specify the aerodrome location in the REMARK field e.g. DEP/KORVATUNTURI or DEST/601542N0193819E.
If the flight plan is given in flight, insert AFIL in the departure field. The location of the ATS-unit from which supplementary flight plan data can be obtained shall be marked to the Remarks field, e.g. DEP/EFRO for Rovaniemi TWR/APP.
Route Field
The entries below can be used in the Flight Plan Route field
| ROUTE Field | Explanation |
|---|---|
| OULU CTR | Flight staying within the Control Zone |
| LOIMAA FORSSA | Aerodrome or destination location in plain language |
| TC | Traffic Circuit. You may specify the type and amount of landings in the REMARK field, e.g. RMK/2TGL 1SL 1FS |
| TA | Training Area. If you request a certain area, you may insert the name to the REMARK field e.g. RMK/TRAJY04. Check V-LARA Airspace Reservation if you wish to reserve an airspace block. |
| LINTU | Visual Reporting Points used when entering or exiting the Control Zone. Pilots should plan the flights via the VRP's as they are establihsed for noise abatement. |
Remarks Field
The following entries can be used in the Flight Plan Remarks field (RMK/...)
| RMK/ | Explanation |
|---|---|
| FS | Full Stop Landing |
| LA | Low Approach |
| TGL | Touch and Go Landing |
| SL | Spot Landing |
| PFL | Practiced Forced Landing |
| PFLR | Practiced Forced Landing back to Runway |
| VFR ON TOP | For a VFR flight to be operated on top of clouds |
| DEP EFOU | Activating VFR flight plan shall be done by radio to the ATS unit whose area of responsibility the aerodrome is located |
| ARR EFTP | Closing VFR flight plan shall be done by radio to the ATS unit whose area of responsibility the aerodrome is located |
| DEP EFIN | Flight plan activation or closure is intended to be given to the EFIN ACC by radio |
| DEP ARR EFRO | Flight plan activation and closure is intended to Rovaniemi ATS by radio |
| FPL CLOSING KUKSA EFRO | Flight plan closing at the boundary of controlled airspace |
Abbreviated Call sign
When using abbreviated call signs, the first and at least the last two characters of the aircraft registration are used.
Abbreviated call signs should be used only after radio contact has been established and provided that there is no risk of confusion. The aircraft may use an abbreviated call sign only after the ground station (ATC) has used it.
Example: The abbreviated call sign O-BC corresponds to Oscar Bravo Charlie.
Local Traffic Circuit
Local Traffic Circuit is a standardised flight path in the immediate vicinity of an aerodrome used mainly by General Aviation VFR flights.
Every controlled aerodrome has its own Visual Approach Chart (VAC) which includes essential information for flights in the Control Zone. Before your flight, you need to have a general understanding of the traffic circuit legs illustrated below:
Always use left turns unless otherwise instructed by ATC.
Pilots shall always report when on downwind, e.g. O-ME, DOWNWIND RUNWAY 30, TOUCH AND GO. If no clearance has been received, pilots shall also report when established on the final leg.
Long final is when the aircraft is over 4 miles away from the runway threshold. The ON LONG FINAL call is made on 8 miles final.
Flight Plan Example
(FPL-OHCME-VG
-C172/L-FOV/C
-EFOU0730
-N0100A013 TC
-EFOU0100
-DOF/250516 RMK/2TGL 1SL 1FS)
- In the example above, the pilot will perform 2 touch-and-go landings, 1 spot-landing and 1 full-stop-landing.
Phraseology Example
| 👨🏻✈️ | OULU TOWER, OH-CME
OULUN TORNI, OH-CME |
| 🎧 | O-ME, OULU TOWER
O-ME, OULUN TORNI |
| 👨🏻✈️ | O-ME, CESSNA 172, APRON 3, INFORMATION M, QNH 1011, REQUEST TAXI
O-ME, CESSNA 172, ASEMATASOLLA 3, TIEDOTUS M, QNH 1011, PYYDÄN RULLATA |
| 🎧 | O-ME, TAXI TO HOLDING POINT RUNWAY 30, CLEARED TRAFFIC CIRCUIT, 1300 FEET OR BELOW, SQUAWK 2611
O-ME, RULLAA ODOTUSPAIKALLE KIITOTIE 30, SELVÄ LASKUKIERROKSEEN, 1300 JALKAA TAI ALAPUOLELLA, KOODAA 2611 |
| 👨🏻✈️ | TAXI TO HOLDING POINT RUNWAY 30, CLEARED TRAFFIC CIRCUIT, 1300 FEET OR BELOW, SQUAWK 2611, O-ME
RULLAAN ODOTUSPAIKALLE KIITOTIE 30, SELVÄ LASKUKIERROKSEEN, 1300 JALKAA TAI ALAPUOLELLA, KOODAAN 2611, O-ME |
| 🎧 | O-ME, LINEUP RUNWAY 30
O-ME, SIIRRY KIITOTIELLE 30 |
| 👨🏻✈️ | LINING UP RUNWAY 30, O-ME
SIIRRYN KIITOTIELLE 30, O-ME |
| 🎧 | O-ME, WIND CALM, RUNWAY 30 CLEARED FOR TAKE-OFF, RIGHT TURN
O-ME, TUULI TYYNTÄ, KIITOTIE 30 SELVÄ LENTOONLÄHTÖÖN, OIKEA KAARTO |
| 👨🏻✈️ | CLEARED FOR TAKE-OFF RUNWAY 30, RIGHT TURN, O-ME
SELVÄ LENTOONLÄHTÖÖN KIITOTIE 30, OIKEA KAARTO, O-ME |
| 👨🏻✈️ | O-ME, RIGHT DOWNWIND RUNWAY 30, TOUCH AND GO
O-ME, OIKEA MYÖTÄTUULI KIITOTIE 30, LÄPILASKU |
| 🎧 | O-ME, WIND VARIABLE 2 KNOTS, RUNWAY 30 CLEARED FOR TOUCH AND GO, LEFT TURN
O-ME, TUULI VAIHTELEE 2 SOLMUA, KIITOTIE 30 SELVÄ LÄPILASKUUN, VASEN KAARTO |
| 👨🏻✈️ | CLEARED FOR TOUCH AND GO RUNWAY 30, LEFT TURN, O-ME
SELVÄ LÄPILASKUUN KIITOTIE 30, VASEN KAARTO, O-ME |
Leaving Control Zone
Flight Plan Example
(FPL-OHCME-VG
-C172/L-FOV/C
-EFOU0730
-N0100A013 TC UNILO
-EFAH0100
-DOF/250516 RMK/EFOU 2TGL)
- In the example above, the pilot will perform 2 touch-and-go landings in Oulu which after the aircraft will leave the control zone via Unilo towards the destination EFAH (Ahmosuo).
The phraseology below is used when leaving the Control Zone to uncontrolled airspace. If leaving towards the Terminal Area, please check the ATC documentation: VFR Clearances.
Phraseology Example
| 👨🏻✈️ | O-ME, DOWNWIND RUNWAY 30, TOUCH AND GO, WHICH AFTER REQUESTING TO LEAVE CONTROL ZONE VIA UNILO
O-ME, MYÖTÄTUULI KIITOTIE 30, LÄPILASKU JONKA JÄLKEEN PYYDÄN JÄTTÄÄ LÄHIALUEEN UNILON KAUTTA |
| 🎧 | O-ME, AFTER TOUCH AND GO LEAVE CONTROL ZONE VIA UNILO, WIND CALM, RUNWAY 30 CLEARED TOUCH AND GO, RIGHT TURN
O-ME, LÄPILASKUN JÄLKEEN JÄTÄ LÄHIALUE UNILON KAUTTA, TUULI TYYNTÄ, KIITOTIE 30 SELVÄ LÄPILASKUUN, OIKEA KAARTO |
| 👨🏻✈️ | AFTER TOUCH AND GO, LEAVE CONTROL ZONE VIA UNILO, CLEARED FOR TOUCH AND GO RUNWAY 30, RIGHT TURN, O-ME
LÄPILASKUN JÄLKEEN JÄTÄN LÄHIALUEEN UNILON KAUTTA, SELVÄ LÄPILASKUUN KIITOTIE 30, OIKEA KAARTO, O-ME |
| 👨🏻✈️ | O-ME, UNILO OUTBOUND
O-ME, UNILO ULOS |
| 🎧 | O-ME
O-ME |
You may now change the frequency. Please bare in mind altitude limits of the Terminal Area which is located above the uncontrolled airspace. The limits can be easily checked from flyk.fi map.
ATC may also give clearance to LEAVE CONTROL ZONE DIRECT EN-ROUTE or LEAVE CONTROL ZONE TOWARDS AHMOSUO. In that case you may fly direct towards your destination. Remember to report O-ME, CONTROL ZONE BOUNDARY OUTBOUND when leaving the Control Zone.
Entering Control Zone
Flight Plan Example
(FPL-OHCME-VG
-C172/L-FOV/C
-EFAH0730
-N0100A013 UNILO TC
-EFOU0020
-DOF/250516 RMK/1SL)
- In the example above, the pilot will enter the control zone via Unilo and perform 1 spot-landing and 1 full-stop-landing
- Arriving VFR aircraft is always given clearance to a part of the traffic circuit if the traffic situation permits
- Contact Tower about 5 minutes before entering the Control Zone
The phraseology below is used when entering the Control Zone from uncontrolled airspace. If entering directly from the Terminal Area, please check the ATC documentation: VFR Clearances.
Phraseology Example
| 👨🏻✈️ | OULU TOWER, OH-CME
OULUN TORNI, OH-CME |
| 🎧 | O-ME, OULU TOWER
O-ME, OULUN TORNI |
| 👨🏻✈️ | O-ME, DEPARTED FROM AHMOSUO, 1000 FEET, 5 MINUTES FROM UNILO, INFORMATION M
O-ME, LÄHTÖ AHMOSUOLTA, 1000 JALKAA, ARVIO UNILOON 5 MINUUTTIA, TIEDOTUS M |
| 🎧 | O-ME, VIA UNILO JOIN RIGHT BASE LEG RUNWAY 30, 1300 FEET OR BELOW, QNH 1011
O-ME, UNILON KAUTTA LIITY OIKEAAN MYÖTÄTUULEEN KIITOTIE 30, 1300 JALKAA TAI ALAPUOLELLA, QNH 1011 |
| 👨🏻✈️ | VIA UNILO JOIN RIGHT BASE LEG RUNWAY 30, 1300 FEET OR BELOW, QNH 1011, O-ME
UNILON KAUTTA LIITYN OIKEALLE PERUSOSALLE KIITOTIE 30, 1300 JALKAA TAI ALAPUOLELLA, QNH 1011, O-ME |
| 🎧 | O-ME, COMMENCE SPOT LANDING
O-ME, SUORITA MAALIINLASKU |
| 👨🏻✈️ | COMMENCING SPOT LANDING, O-ME
SUORITAN MAALIINLASKUN, O-ME |
| 🎧 | O-ME, WIND CALM, RUNWAY 30 CLEARED TO LAND
O-ME, TUULI TYYNTÄ, KIITOTIE 30 SELVÄ LASKUUN |
| 👨🏻✈️ | CLEARED TO LAND RUNWAY 30, O-ME
SELVÄ LASKUUN KIITOTIE 30, O-ME |
Traffic Information
As the control zone is D airspace, the pilot is responsible for maintaining separation to other IFR and VFR aircraft. In order to maintain separation, ATC will give you information about essential traffic that may affect your flight
Below are listed a few common phrases used by ATC
| 🎧 | O-ME, NUMBER 2, FOLLOW DIAMOND 42 ON BASE LEG
O-ME, VUORO 2, SEURAA DIAMOND 42 PERUSOSALLA |
| 🎧 | O-ME, TRAFFIC ATR 72 DEPARTING RUNWAY 12 STRAIGHT AHEAD TO 4 MILES WHICH AFTER TURNING TOWARDS HELSINKI
O-ME, LIIKENTEESI ATR 72 LÄHDÖSSÄ KIITOTIELTÄ 12 SUORAAN NELJÄÄN MAILIIN JONKA JÄLKEEN KAARTAA KOHTI HELSINKIÄ |
| 🎧 | O-ME, TRAFFIC AIRBUS 320 ON 2 MILES FINAL, CAUTION WAKE TURBULENCE
O-ME, LIIKENTEESI AIRBUS 320 KAHDEN MAILIN LOPPUOSALLA, VARO JÄTTÖPYÖRRETTÄ |
| 🎧 | O-ME, TRAFFIC CESSNA 152, 11 O'CLOCK 5 MILES, OPPOSITE DIRECTION
O-ME, LIIKENTEESI CESSNA 152, KELLO 11:STA 5 MAILIA, VASTAAN TULEVAA |
| Words used to describe other traffic | |
|---|---|
| Unknown Tuntematonta |
Closing Lähestyvää |
| Slow moving Hitaasti liikkuvaa |
Opposite / same direction Vastaan tulevaa / samansuuntaista |
| Fast moving Nopeasti liikkuvaa |
Crossing left to right / right to left Vasemmalta oikealle / oikealta vasemmalle |
| Overtaking Saavuttavaa |
Climbing / descending Nousussa / laskussa |
Delaying Aircraft
ATC may delay aircraft in air due to other traffic.
- Long approach: join final more than 4 NM from runway threshold
- Extend downwind: continue on downwind until cleared to join final
- Orbit left/right: fly in a continuous turn to specified direction
- Make another circuit: join and fly the circuit again
- Three sixty left/right: make only one 360° turn to specified direction
Example of phrases used by ATC
| 🎧 | O-ME, MAKE LONG APPROACH
O-ME, TEE PITKÄ LÄHESTYMINEN |
| 🎧 | O-ME, EXTEND DOWNWIND (30 SECONDS / UNTIL ADVISED)
O-ME, PIDENNÄ MYÖTÄTUULTA (30 SEKUNTIA / TOISTAISEKSI) |
| 🎧 | O-ME, ORBIT RIGHT (FROM PRESENT POSITION)
O-ME, TEE YMPYRÄÄ OIKEALLE (NYKYISESSÄ PAIKASSA) |
| 🎧 | O-ME, MAKE ANOTHER CIRCUIT
O-ME, TEE UUSI KIERROS |
| 🎧 | O-ME, MAKE A THREE SIXTY TURN LEFT (DUE TRAFFIC)
O-ME, TEE KOLME-KUUSIKYMMENTÄ VASEMPAAN (LIIKENTEEN TAKIA) |
Flight Plan Activation and Closure
VFR aircraft operating in uncontrolled airspace do not have to report their flights and no two-way radio communication requirements exist. However, it is recommended to open and close the flight plan on radio with Helsinki Control (EFIN_CTR) or with the the local Tower controller if flying below a Terminal Area (TMA).
Helsinki Control offers Flight Information Service below FL 95 in uncontrolled airspace.
To activate and close the flight plan, use the phraseology examples below:
| 👨🏻✈️ | HELSINKI CONTROL, OH-CWM, DEPARTURE FROM JÄMIJÄRVI AT 0946, DESTINATION KIIKALA, REQUEST FLIGHT PLAN ACTIVATION
HELSINGIN ALUE, OH-CWM, LÄHTÖ JÄMIJÄRVELTÄ AIKAAN 0946, MÄÄRÄNPÄÄ KIIKALA, PYYDÄN LENTOSUUNNITELMAN AKTIVOINTIA |
| 🎧 | OH-CWM, HELSINKI CONTROL, FLIGHT PLAN ACTIVATED AT TIME 0950, SQUAWK 6502
OH-CWM, LENTOSUUNNITELMA AKTIVOITU AIKAAN 0950, KOODAA 6502 |
| 👨🏻✈️ | HELSINKI CONTROL, OH-CWM, FROM KIIKALA TO MALMI, LANDING TIME 46, CLOSING FLIGHT PLAN
HELSINGIN ALUE, OH-CWM, KIIKALASTA MALMILLE, LASKU AIKAAN 46, PÄÄTÄN LENTOSUUNNITELMAN |
| 🎧 | O-WM, HELSINKI CONTROL, FLIGHT PLAN CLOSED AT TIME 49
O-WM, LENTOSUUNNITELMA PÄÄTETTY AIKAAN 49 |