Skip to main content

Getting started: flying in Scandinavia

These are the basics that apply at every airport in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Read this first, then the briefing for your departure and arrival airport.

For flight simulation use only. Always follow ATC instructions over anything written here.

Before you connect

  • Have the charts for your departure and arrival ready and briefed. Controllers may give instructions well in advance, such as a direct to an approach waypoint while you are still in cruise.
  • On short flights, pre-program your expected arrival before departure.
  • Where your aircraft supports it, request your clearance by DCL (Hoppie ACARS) instead of voice.

On the frequency

  • Listen before you call. Audio can lag on busy frequencies.
  • If the frequency is busy, wait for a gap. Do not force your way in to request a clearance.

Pushback

  • Push back to the release point unless ATC says otherwise. Where there is no release point, push straight back.
  • If you cannot follow the pushback instruction, say so as soon as practical.
  • If unsure, ask before you push.

Taxi

  • If no holding point is given, taxi to the most sensible one: usually the runway end, or the one with the shortest backtrack.
  • On "HOLD SHORT", stop before the named taxiway or runway.
  • Vacate the runway fully. Do not stop on the runway entrance line.
  • Want an intersection departure? Request it at the holding point.

IFR departure

  • On first contact with approach, give your callsign and current altitude.
  • Expect directs to waypoints along your route or on your STAR.

IFR arrival

  • A STAR clearance is not a descent clearance. Only descend when cleared.
  • Report ready for descent before top of descent.
  • Do not request directs. ATC gives them when traffic allows.
  • Follow STAR speeds unless ATC gives a speed. Without a restriction, stay at or below 250 kt IAS below FL100, unless the country page says otherwise.
  • Once cleared for an approach via an IAF or transition, you may descend as published on the procedure.

Large aircraft (Code F)

Only some airports have published Code F procedures (A380, B747-8). Check the airport briefing and the AIP. If an airport has none, it probably cannot handle your aircraft, so ask ATC before you file.

Report a problem

Found something broken or outdated? Contact the FIR team listed on the country page.

Back to top