Sometimes flights carried out in the context of general aviation or aerial work may be flown at relatively low altitudes. Low altitudes are necessary for certain operations, including helicopters used to trim trees around power lines, aerial firefighting, search-and-rescue flights and aerial photography. This may result in an exceptionally high level of noise on the ground. Traffic taking off from and landing at airports and other aerodromes may also cause disturbances for those in the vicinity.
General aviation and aerial work comprise a wide range of aircraft and operations. These include recreational aviation, search-and-rescue flights, flight training, agriculture and forestry applications, and firefighting flights. Commercial scheduled flights and cargo flights are not considered general aviation.
Traficom oversees aviation activity in Finland. Reports regarding disturbances caused by aircraft should be addressed to Traficom. The registration mark of an aircraft is the most effective and often only way to identify an operator. When disturbances caused by aircraft are detected, it is often possible that the set minimum flight altitude was not respected. Minimum flight altitudes are dependent on the type of aircraft, the flight area, and the purpose of the flight.