THE FINNISH AIR RESCUE SOCIETY

Background
For many decades in Finland a number of aeroclubs have participated in
flying forest fire observation flights and Search And Rescue Mission (SAR)
to help authorities in their tasks. This was done under Finnish
Aeronautical Association.
The Finnish Air Rescue Society took charge of co-oordinating these tasks
and training in 2006.
In Finnish aviation law from 2006 it’s stated that forestfire observation
flights and SAR-flights don’t require commercial operators. This gives a
cheaper option for the government to use aeroplanes on missions which
help fire departments and police forces.

Resources
The Finnish Air Rescue Society has over 40 aeroclubs as members:
- Over 70 aeroplanes available and 1300 pilots and navigators.
- Aeroplanes are equipped with terrain map GPS and TETRA authority
communication radiosystem
- 27 fire observation routes covering whole Finland.
In 2006 aeroclubs flew over 5000 hours of forestfire observation flights and
SAR-missions.

The crew
The crew consists of a pilot, a mission commander and two observers (in
SAR-missions). The pilot concentrates on safe flying, mission commander
handles GPS/maps and communication with authorities. Observers in SARmissions
are in charge of finding targets. The whole crew has a special
training to run their duties.

Co-operation
The efficient co-operation between Finnish Air Rescue Society, authorites
and Voluntary Rescue Service is mandatory when saving human lives and
property.