A Flight to Estonia

Our Piper-phase includes two cross-country flights, which have traditionally been visits to nearby countries, mainly Sweden and Estonia. I got to fly to the latter and was really looking forward to it since I've been to Estonia many times but never flown there myself.

Our plan was to fly from Malmi over the ocean to the eastern side of Tallin, and continue from there towards Rapla aerodrome (EERA), which is a grass-field with two quite long runways. However, this was only a route fix and we didn't plan a touch-and-go landing there. From Rapla the flight would continue towards Hiiumaa island and Kärdla airport (EEKA), which after we would fly to Saaremaa and make a touch-and-go landing on Kuressaare airport (EEKU). After that the final leg would be to fly straight to Pärnu (EEPU) and land there. I was a passenger for the route there and flew the exact same route back to Finland.

Crossing the ocean

So, off we went and headed straight towards the sea. Flying over the sea lasts only about 15-20 minutes and we flew at an altitude of 3000 feet. Tallin ATC had all the information of our flight and service was excellent. "Oscar Golf Alfa, continue via flight plan route". In no time we were no longer in Finland, but in Estonia.

EERA Airfield

After arriving to Estonian airspace, our next waypoint was the Rapla airfield. In Estonia, most uncontrolled aerodromes are grass-fields and usually share a common VFR frequency. However, Rapla had its own radio frequency and we could even find aerodrome charts from the Estonian AIP. The grass-fields differ a lot from Finnish ones in such that they can be quite large and have long runways. Finnish grass-fields are usually meant only for ultralights but nothing would prevent a 1300kg Piper from taking off this one. The main runway was more than one kilometer long.

Colorful scenery

 The basic landscapes differ somehow from the Finnish ones too. There's lots of reddish-brown swamps and almost no lakes at all. The trees are often those with leaves and that makes the scenery more colorful especially in the autumn. Also, the countryside is quite different since there's almost no buildings anywhere to be seen. Estonia seems to have lots of totally empty, uninhabitated areas.

Kärdla Airport EEKA

 After another small ocean-crossing we arrived to Hiiumaa and made a touch-and-go on its only airport, Kärdla, an AFIS aerodrome that was now closed. Power set, speed alive, rotate, left turn and heading towards the south and Saaremaa island.

Kuressaare

Soon after taking off from Kärdla we contacted Kuressaare, which is also an AFIS aerodrome. A very kind female voice answered and yet again the quality of ATC service was something we've not always been used to in Finland.

Kuressaare Airport EEKU

 Kuressaare Airport is located near the Roomassaare dock and has two runways. We did a touch-and-go to the longer one. It was very fun to see this town from the air since I've visited it in my youth about 20 times. My parents even have a small apartment there. I think I will be flying here with friends for a few times after I get my licence.

On final to Pärnu

 The last leg went by quickly and in no time we were in Pärnu and making a landing there. The runway was interesting since it's made of concrete blocks and feels very different to the usual ones.

Pärnu Airport EEPU, and it's main building and ATC tower.

 Pärnu is an old Soviet military base, which can easily be recognized from the buildings and other architecture. The whole airport was filled with old MIG-fighter hangars, which were basically little hills with tunnels in them.

A view from the briefing room.

Upon arrival we called us a taxi and went to the town to eat at a very nice pizza/pasta restaurant with low prices. We also went to a market to buy some essential supplies, which-after it was time to head back to the airfield and fly home. Now it was my turn and I enjoyed every minute of it!

Pärnu even had a dedicated pilot's supply store filled with necessary equipment :)