Nummela Airfield
Nummela Airfield (ICAO: EFNU), also known as Helsinki West, is located in Vihti, Finland, on the Lohjanharju ridge between National Road 25 and the Nummela urban area. It is managed by the Nummela Airfield Association (Nummelan Lentokenttäyhdistys ry). The airfield is being developed with a focus on ecological, digital, and electric aviation.
In autumn 2019, the asphalt on runway 04/22 was renewed, and runway 09/27 was also paved. In autumn 2021, an automated surveillance system was introduced to detect and warn about obstacles in the runway area.[1][2]
In spring 2023, an IFR approach procedure was implemented for runway 04. In autumn 2023, runway lights were installed, and the airfield was approved for night flight operations. In autumn 2024, APAPI approach lights were installed on runway 04.
The airfield does not have a public fuel station, but refueling can be arranged by prior agreement. The available fuel types include AVGAS 100LL, JET-A1, BE98E5, and BE95SE aviation fuels.
History
Construction of the Airfield
Nummela Airfield was built in 1940 for use by the Finnish Air Force. The establishment of the airfield was influenced by events in Estonia, where the Soviet Union had demanded control over the Tallinn and Paldiski airfields. As a result, additional airfields were needed in Southern Finland, and Nummela was deemed suitable as an operational base for Air Force units operating over the Gulf of Finland. Construction of the airfield had already begun during the Winter War. During the Interim Peace, the Separate Aviation Squadron (Erillinen lentolaivue) used Nummela Airfield as its base, operating Blackburn Ripon reconnaissance aircraft.
Air Force Base
During the Continuation War, on June 26, 1941, Aviation Squadron 6 (Lentolaivue 6) relocated from Turku to Nummela Airfield. The squadron operated in the Hanko Front and the Gulf of Finland in 1941. On August 2, 1941, an aircraft preparing for a bombing mission crashed at the airfield, resulting in the deaths of two out of the three crew members.[3] From October to December 1941, Nummela also served as a base for Aviation Squadron 32’s Curtiss fighter unit, designated as Detachment H (Osasto H).[4]
Post-War Development
In the summer of 1943, a Mexican town film set, designed by Tapio Vilpponen (stage name Roy), was built at Nummela Airfield for the Suomi-Filmi production Herra ja ylhäisyys (His Lordship).[5]
The Municipality of Vihti has received funding for airfield development, which enabled the runway renovations in 2019. Due to the closure of Helsinki-Malmi Airport, some aviation businesses have relocated to Nummela..[5] The airfield operator has applied for a new environmental permit..[6]
Memorials
A plaque has been mounted on a rock in the forest between the airfield and National Road 25 to commemorate those who perished in the 1941 aircraft accident. On the other side of the airfield, the Total Energy monument honors all individuals who have lost their lives in accidents at the airfield.
Operations
The airfield hosts motor and glider flight training. The following organizations and businesses operate at the airfield:
- Cumulus ry
- BF-Lento
- NW Aviation
- Mäntsälän ilmailukerho ry
- Espoon moottorilentäjät ry
- Länsi-Uudenmaan Ilmailuyhdistys ry
- Moottoripurjelentäjät ry
- Kevytilmailu ry
- RC-Nummela ry
Restrictions
To minimize noise pollution, repetitive touch-and-go training is prohibited at the airfield. Nighttime flight operations are restricted to essential arrivals and departures only. Refueling is only permitted at designated fueling areas for environmental reasons.[5]
- Kurunmäki, Pentti (2016). Nummela – From a Small Village to a Growing Center of Vihti. Nummelan Kilta.
Literature
Kauko Peltonen and Kai Halonen: At Nummela Airfield – Events and Stories from the Continuation War and Shortly After. BoD, 2015. ISBN 978-952-31-8828-0.
References
- ↑ "Vihti katsoo tulevaisuuteen – Nummelan lentokentälle verkkosivut osoitteessa Helsinkiwest.aero". Vihdin kunta. 2023-03-14. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ↑ "Nummelan kenttä on nyt Helsinki West". Kuntalehti. 2023-03-15. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ↑ Anne Koski, Vuoden 1941 lento-onnettomuudesta julkaistiin kirja. Archived 2018-05-27 at the Wayback Machine Vihdin uutiset 7.8.2013, viitattu 26.5.2018
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs nameds25 - ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Paula Tiainen (12-06-2018). "Osa Malmin lentokentän yrityksistä harkitsee Vihtiin muuttamista: Kunta sai puoli miljoonaa euroa Nummelan kentän kehittämiseen". Yle.fi, uutiset. Retrieved 12-06-2018. Check date values in:
|access-date=, |date=(help) - ↑ Juho Tuomisto (7.10.2019). "Malmin kentän loppu lähenee, lentokoulut etsivät vaihtoehtoja". Yle.fi, uutiset. Retrieved 7.10.2019. Check date values in:
|access-date=, |date=(help)
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