A flight from Lake Tuusula and Hiidenvesi to showcase the potential of seaplanes in the country.
Finland, with its over ten thousand lakes and vast, pristine nature, makes seaplanes the perfect eco-friendly transport. I meet Mikko, an air traffic controller at Helsinki’s Vantaa Airport. In twenty minutes by car, we reach Lake Tuusula, where his Maule M6 on Aqua 2400 floats is moored among the water lilies.
The unique natural surroundings include small carnivorous plants, which Mikko points out as we walk to the dock. We refuel the Maule, and he shows me a unique system on the plane that limits adverse yaw using a small tab on the rudder linked to the ailerons.
We untie the ropes, start the engine, and as the oil warms up, Mikko tells me about Finland’s culture: people can wander, camp, and pick fruit on private land freely. Remote cabins are provided for shelter, sometimes stocked with wood and food. Given Finland’s fragmented terrain, seaplanes are unmatched in speed, efficiency, and fuel consumption.
We take off north, unaffected by the scattered thunderstorms. After leaving the lake, we turn west to Lake Hiidenvesi, a twenty-minute flight. There, we dine at a popular hamburger spot known even in Helsinki.
Over brisket, we discuss seaplane flying in Europe, where few schools and clubs exist. Different conditions and strict rental requirements discourage pilots from flying in new territories. Mikko suggests schools and clubs should form consortia, standardize requirements, and recognize each other’s pilots to attract more customers.
The sky clears up, so we head back to Helsinki. The city at 1,000 feet is stunning: the islands, colorful houses, and Suomenlinna fortress. We fly over the historic, now-closed Malmi Airport and pass through Vantaa’s control zone, where a colleague wishes us a safe landing. We touch down on Lake Tuusula and secure the Maule among the lilies.
On the way back to the hotel, I reflect on Finland as a calm, elegant country that warmly embraces flight, not as a luxury but as an essential part of life.
