The Midnight Sun Tour
Day 1 : Embarking on a Journey of Discovery
In June 2023, our expedition started from our home base, Toussus, full throttle on the M600 power lever, setting course on Palanga EYPA, Lithuania.
This beachside city, reminiscent of Deauville in France or Brighton in England, offered our first taste of adventure. Avoiding Minsk Center due to geopolitical tensions, we were greeted warmly by the staff of Palanga Airport, a welcome as heartening as the local delicacies. Zeppelin’s, a unique mix of potato and meat dumplings drenched in oil, provided our first culinary challenge. An afternoon stroll along the shore and the iconic pier rounded off our day before we jetted off to Tallinn EETN, Estonia.
Tallinn revealed itself as a gem, with its historical center and the delightful lunch at Tuljack Restaurant. Electric scooters took us back to our hotel, just in time to witness a stunning Baltic sunset at 22:40 local time.
Day 2: The North Cape
Determined to chase the midnight sun, we departed EETN at 14:00 local time, entering a day without dusk. Our flight path, streamlined by the efficient coordination of Talinn, Helsinki, and Polaris control, led us directly to Honningsvåg ENHV, the gateway to the northernmost reaches of continental Europe. Despite the sun's unwavering presence, a peculiar sea fog enveloped North Cape, yet the allure of the moment remained undiminished.
Enjoying local King Crab post an exploratory coffee break, our dinner was a prelude to the main event. Our quest for the midnight sun started with a departure from Honningsvåg at 22:45, sweeping past North Cape for an ultimate flyby.
Requesting VFR to revel in the Norwegian fjords’ majesty, our journey took an unexpected detour to Tromsø, due to unforeseen sea fog at Bodø. Landing in Tromsø at 01:00, we were guided into an unparalleled approach, soon finding ourselves among the nocturnal revelry of the city, under a sun that refused to set.
Day 3: The Lure of the Lofoten
A leisurely breakfast in Tromsø kommune prefaced the day's highlight: a scenic flight that would etch itself in my memory as the most breathtaking.
Drifting south to Ålesund kommune , the evening brought relief in the form of a cold beer at T2 bar, and the view from Fjelltua Viewpoint was a fitting epilogue to our day. Dried cod, the local specialty, offered a savory end to our day's journey.
Day 4: Homeward Bound via Geirangerfjord
With a nod to Tom Cruise “Mission Impossible 7”, we ventured into Geirangerfjord, awestruck by the cinematic landscapes that unfolded. Manoeuvres amidst the fjord's grandeur were moments of pure exhilaration, shared with the seclusion only mountains and waterfalls can offer.
Our return commenced from Floro, with the North Sea's expanse beneath us, guiding us home to Paris, where the journey had begun.
This trip was an amazing adventure for us at MTAviation and for our clients, made up of flying high in the sky, experiencing different cultures, and discovering new places in only 4 days. Every time we took off or landed, it wasn't just a spot on the map. It was a part of our adventure story, filled with friendship and the exciting chase of the midnight sun.