The Finnish Air Force recently made an exciting announcement regarding their new Hornet demo pilot and their plans for the 2024 season. Captain Kairinen, who had previously served as the backup display pilot, has been chosen to take the lead in demonstrating the incredible capabilities and manoeuvrability of the F/A-18 Hornet at events in Finland and three other countries throughout the season.

The F/A-18 Hornet, a twin-engine fighter jet that has been in service since the 1980s, is an extremely versatile aircraft that is widely used for various missions, including air-to-air combat, ground attack, and reconnaissance. It is known for its exceptional speed, range, and high-performance capabilities, making it one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world.

The Finnish Air Force is renowned for its excellent pilots and their impressive displays. As such, the 2024 season promises to be an exciting one, with Captain Kairinen taking centre stage to showcase the Hornet's incredible capabilities in front of thousands of spectators. His displays will undoubtedly be a thrilling event for aviation enthusiasts and the general public alike as they watch in awe at the aircraft's impressive manoeuvres and skills. The Hornet's speed, range, and high-performance capabilities are sure to impress everyone who witnesses it.

Captain Petteri Kairinen

Captain Petteri Kairinen is a highly experienced fighter pilot from Fighter Squadron 31 at the Karelia Air Command. He has been selected as the primary display pilot for the Finnish Air Force in 2024. Kairinen has ten years of experience flying the F/A-18 Hornet fighter and has accumulated over a thousand flight hours, making him one of the most skilled pilots in the Air Force.

In addition to his duties as a display pilot, Kairinen also serves as the deputy commander of the 1st squadron. His responsibilities include overseeing the squadron's operational flights and planning them accordingly. Moreover, Kairinen is an air combat instructor for the squadron's daily flight service, where he trains new pilots on advanced air combat techniques.

Kairinen's call sign is "Loudeater," which is derived from a story about an unnecessarily loud comment he made during a meal at a Hornet meeting. He is highly respected by his colleagues and is considered a role model for younger pilots.

This year, the alternate display pilot is Captain Paulus Kärnä from Lapland Air Command.

Where to see the Finnish Hornet Display:

The Finnish Hornet, a highly advanced aircraft well-known for its impressive capabilities, is all set to showcase its prowess in six different events across Europe this year. These events are scheduled to take place in Finland, Sweden, Austria, and Belgium and are expected to attract large crowds of aviation enthusiasts from around the world.

The first two events, which are organized at Satakunta Air Command and Jyväskylä Airport in Finland, respectively, are Military Aviation professional events that aim to provide a platform for military aviation professionals to exchange knowledge and expertise. These events will feature a wide range of aircraft displays and demonstrations, making them an exciting and informative experience for aviation enthusiasts.

The Vaasa International Airshow 2024, which is the third event in their schedule, will take place at Vaasa Airport in Vaasa, Finland. This airshow is one of the most popular aviation events in the region and is expected to attract aviation enthusiasts from all over Europe. The Finnish Hornet's display at this event is expected to be a major highlight, with its impressive speed and manoeuvrability drawing cheers from the crowd.

The fourth event, Nordic Air Power, will be held in Sweden on August 24th and will feature a range of aircraft displays and demonstrations by military aviation professionals. This event is an excellent opportunity for aviation enthusiasts to witness the latest cutting-edge aviation technology and techniques in action.

Airpower24, the fifth event, is one of the largest airshows in Europe and will take place on September 6th and 7th at the Zeltweg Air Base in Austria. This event will feature a wide range of aircraft displays and aerial demonstrations, including the Finnish Hornet's impressive capabilities, which will undoubtedly leave the audience in awe.

Finally, the sixth and final event in the series is the Sanicole Airshow, which will be held at Hechtel-Eksel in Belgium on September 21st and 22nd. This airshow is renowned for its spectacular displays, and the Finnish Hornet's performance is expected to be one of the most eagerly awaited events of the show.

The Finnish Hornet's participation in these events is expected to be a major highlight, and aviation enthusiasts from around the world are eagerly looking forward to witnessing its impressive capabilities in action. The events will provide a unique opportunity to witness the latest aviation technology and techniques in action, making them a must-see for anyone interested in aviation.

F/A-18 Hornet

The F/A-18 Hornet is a supersonic, twin-engine combat aircraft that can operate in all weather conditions. It is a multi-role aircraft designed to function both as a fighter and an attack aircraft, hence its F/A designation. The plane is a product of McDonnell Douglas and Northrop and was created in the 1970s for use by the United States Navy and Marine Corps. The Hornet is also used by the air forces of several other nations and was once used by the U.S. Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels.

The F/A-18 is an incredibly versatile plane that can carry a wide range of weapons thanks to its advanced avionics, cockpit displays, and excellent aerodynamic characteristics. The aircraft's versatility and reliability make it a valuable carrier asset, capable of performing various tasks such as fighter escort, fleet air defence, suppression of enemy air defences, air interdiction, close air support, and aerial reconnaissance.

The Hornet is equipped with advanced radar and electronic warfare systems, allowing it to detect and engage targets in all weather conditions and at all altitudes. It features a digital fly-by-wire flight control system that enables the pilot to make precise manoeuvres with ease. The F/A-18 can fly at a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 and has a combat radius of over 400 nautical miles.

Hornets in the Finnish Air Force

The Finnish Air Force purchased a total of 64 F-18C/D fighter jets in 1992, consisting of 57 F-18C models and seven F-18D models. The F-18D models were built in St. Louis, while the F-18C models were assembled in Finland. The delivery of these aircraft started in November 1995 and ended in August 2000. These fighter jets replaced the MiG-21bis and Saab 35 Draken in the Finnish Air Force's fleet. Initially, these planes were designated for air defence, which is why they were given the F-18 designation. The F-18C model included the ASPJ (Airborne Self-Protection Jammer) jamming pod, which was later added to the U.S. Navy's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet procurement.

Unfortunately, one Hornet was destroyed in a mid-air collision in 2001. A damaged F-18C, also known as "Frankenhornet," was rebuilt into an F-18D using the forward section of a Canadian CF-18B that was purchased. However, the modified fighter jet crashed during a test flight in January 2010, due to a faulty tailplane servo cylinder.

The Finnish Air Force's Hornet fleet underwent a two-stage Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) program. The MLU 1 stage, from 2006 to 2010, aimed to improve the aircraft's air-to-air capabilities. This upgrade included integrating the new AIM-9X Sidewinder missile with the JHMCS helmet-mounted sight, new radios, a new IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) interrogator, and a new moving map display. The MLU 2 stage, from 2012 to 2016, mainly focused on enabling the aircraft to use standoff air-to-ground weapons, including the JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition), JSOW (Joint Standoff Weapon), and JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile). The Hornets also received the Litening targeting pod and new chaff/flare dispensers. The cockpit was modernized, and Link 16 was added. The upgrade also involved procuring and integrating a new version of the AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile) air-to-air missile. In total, 62 aircraft (the entire Finnish Hornet fleet as of 2016) were modernized to MLU 2 standards. This upgrade gave the plane a ground-attack capability, and as a result, the Finnish Air Force now refers to the plane as "F/A-18" instead of just "F-18".

The Hornets have a service life of 30 years and will remain in active service until 2025-2030. In October 2014, the Finnish national broadcaster Yle announced that the replacement of the Hornet was being considered. In 2015, Finland began the HX Fighter Program to acquire new multirole fighters to replace the current Hornet fleet. The HX Fighter Program aims to acquire 64 new fighter jets, and the selection process included five contenders: Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II, and Saab Gripen E. On December 10, 2021, the Finnish government announced the selection of Lockheed Martin's fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II for its HX Fighter Program.