Airspace
Training Areas
The NPTC has one of the largest training areas available in Europe. During military flight training activity hours (usually from 0900 to 1600), no civil traffic is allowed above 2500 ft MSL in the green area (A).
- Total area 180 000 km2
- Large airspace offers good possibilities for training despite local weather changes
- Airspace makes low level training possible on a wide range of area
- Possibility to train over open sea
TSA Concept
Finland is divided into Temporary Segregated Areas (TSAs). Training areas can be easily expanded within the TSA concept to cover almost entire Finnish territory, if needed.
The TSA concept is fully implemented:
- Priorities agreed in Letter of Agreement
- To be used for daily flight activities and military exercises
- Flexible use of airspace
- Civil traffic restricted or reasonably limited
Climate
- Climate is temperate
- Temperature varies approximately between +30 and -30 °C
- Summer from May to September
- Winter (snowy conditions) training possible from mid-December to mid-March
- Four seasons, adverse weather training possible
Light Conditions
Four Seasons – Extreme Light Conditions
Due to its location in northern latitudes, the NPTC gets the full advantage of the extreme Finnish conditions throughout the year. Four distinctive seasons from cool and dark winters to warm and delightful summers with almost 24 hours of sunlight ensure efficient use of flight training time.
Monthly Hours of Daylight in Kauhava Airspace
Flexible Use of Airspace
Training Area Compared to the Size of Western Europe
A + B = Military Control Area (MILCTA).
Permanent training airspace for daily use.
A = 60 000 km2 + B = 40 000 km2
C + D = Available airspace with TSA.
Planned for temporary use.
C = 30 000 km2 + D = 50 000 km2
E = Airbase used during air-to-air exercise events directed to area B
and exercises directed to area D