I'm in Finland for the next week visiting my girlfriend. Upon arrival at Helsinki today, on a very uncomfortable Aer Lingus flight, we learn't the Russian President was in town and was due to depart later in the afternoon. We opted to stick around for a while and hopefully catch his flight home. Turns out he had FOUR aircraft with him! Two IL-62's, One Tu-154 and an IL-76.
Unfortunately as Helsinki is such a huge airport with three runways in constant use, it is impossible to predict which runway will be in use half the time. Also there was extreme heat haze today at the airport so any chance of brilliant pics were lost, But I still managed to snap a few
My first Helo pic
Seen flying up and down the airport perimeter before the president departed. Had a few friendly waves from them as well!
The second IL-62 departs. Unfortunately we caught the first departure with the president on board in backlit conditions
The Tu-154. Looks awesome!
The IL-76, presumably with the Russian Presidents car. Back lit shot hence the grain
Some of the regular Helsinki Traffic.
That's all I have editted so far, I'm too tired to do the rest. Next time we're in HEL, I hope there will be less of the killer heat haze. Having said that, I'm glad to have seen todays aircraft. Before now, I hadn't seen any Russian aircraft!
