Yleisilmailu

Yleisilmailu, or general aviation, refers to civil aviation operations that are not scheduled air transport. In Finland, yleisilmailu encompasses private flying, flight training, aeroclub activities, business aviation on non-scheduled terms, and various forms of aerial work such as surveying, photography, crop dusting, and banner towing. It excludes scheduled passenger transport operated by airlines.

Regulation and oversight: In Finland, Traficom (the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency) is responsible for licensing and supervision of general aviation, including aircraft airworthiness, pilot licensing, and pilot medical examination requirements. EU and EASA rules apply to many aspects of yleisilmailu, and Finnish Aviation Act and Decrees implement these requirements.

Typical participants: private pilots and aircraft owners, flying clubs (ilmailukerhot) offering training and recreational flying; professional flight schools; light aviation operators providing non-scheduled services; glider and balloon operations.

Aircraft and operations: yleisilmailu uses light aircraft (single-engine piston, twins), ultralight/kevyt ilma-alus categories, gliders, balloons, and sometimes small helicopters. Operations include VFR and IFR where appropriate, flight training, sightseeing, aerial work, and emergency services when not part of scheduled transport.

Safety and culture: The community emphasizes safety, training, and compliance with air traffic and airspace rules. Flying clubs provide safety programs, checkouts, and ongoing proficiency. Traficom and EASA establish standards for licensing, aircraft airworthiness, and maintenance; Finnish authorities encourage incident reporting and continuous improvement.

History and outlook: Since the early 20th century, yleisilmailu has supported pilot training, regional accessibility, and aviation innovation. It remains a foundation for skills development and is often a stepping stone to commercial aviation or specialized fields.