Low-flying aircraft to conduct mapping surveys over Tampere, Turku, and Jyväskylä

A low-flying aircraft conducting survey flights may be visible over parts of Finland this spring and summer, including the cities of Tampere, Turku, and Jyväskylä, the National Land Survey of Finland has announced.

The agency has begun its annual aerial photography and laser scanning flights, which form part of its routine mapping work to ensure accurate and up-to-date geographic data. The flights will cover roughly one-third of Finland’s land area for aerial imaging and one-ninth for laser scanning, with progress tracked on the agency’s website.

The survey aircraft can be identified by its distinctive back-and-forth flight pattern. Real-time tracking is also possible via the Flightradar service. Clear weather and sufficient sunlight are required for successful imaging, with scheduling dependent on conditions, according to Juha Kareinen, head of cartography at the National Land Survey.

Data collected from the flights will update the national terrain database—the most precise nationwide mapping resource—and support applications in agriculture, environmental monitoring, and national security. Agencies such as the Finnish Forest Centre, Finnish Food Authority, and Finnish Environment Institute will utilise the data for forest inventory, field inspections, and other purposes. Updated aerial images will be published on the free Karttapaikka service as they become available.

This year’s flights mark the first under a new national aerial and laser scanning program, designed to ensure reliable geographic data for both authorities and the public.