Siljan Airpark – A One-of-a-Kind Swedish Fly-In Community
Sweden – If you’re looking for a Nordic adventure, check out Sweden’s Siljan Airpark. It’s located next to Siljansnäs, which is roughly seven miles from Leksand and 300 miles from Stockholm along Siljan Lake. It was the first airpark in Northern Europe and one of the few in the region. For that reason, the village draws aviation enthusiasts from all over the continent. Let’s take a look at why Siljan Airpark is so unique.
1. What is the history of Siljan Airpark?
Siljan Airpark was the brainchild of Carl Rönn and the Siljansnäs Flying Club. Carl Rönn was a fan of aviation and flying, and he wanted to bring his love of aviation to the youth of Sweden. He started his project in the Botkyrka municipality on a farm where he taught kids how to build airplanes. The project taught children how to work in groups while piquing their curiosity. At first, he had help from the local schools. As the program became more popular, he also sought support from the European Union. He was granted money from the European Social Fund, and in the fall of 1997, the Own Wings Project officially began.
At the time, the project was considered one of the most successful social projects in Sweden’s history. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t last. The Own Wings Project was located at Tullinge Airport, and the plans for the airport changed. It would be closed instead of being allowed to remain, and a new development would be built on the property. However, all was not lost. During the final year of the Own Wings Project, a documentary was made, which was seen by the members of the Siljansnäs Flying Club. The members pitched the idea of moving the aircraft building project to Dalarna with help from the Siljansnäs Flying Club. Carl accepted. As a result, Siljan Airpark, the Siljansnäs Flying Club, and an aviation museum all reside on the property. The airpark officially came to be in 2006.
2. What is Siljan Airpark like now?
Siljan Airpark has 45 plots ranging from 8,611 to 16,146 square feet. Plot owners can build houses and hangars connected to the runway with a network of taxiways. Currently, there are three full-time residents of the airpark and plots are available to purchase. The airpark has two runways, 14R/32L and 14L/32R. The grass strip (14L/32R) is closed for repairs as of this writing due to wild boars having dug up parts of the surface. Runway 14R/32L, which is paved, is open. The small, private airport offers 100LL and Avgas 91/96UL.
3. What types of airplanes call Siljan Airpark “home”?
Siljan Airpark is home to single and multi-engine smaller aircraft as well as homebuilt and experimental aircraft. The Siljansnäs Flying Club owns two aircraft, including a WT-9 Dynamic SE-VPS and a Motor Falcon SF25Bx. The draw for the park is that aviation enthusiasts and aircraft owners can land their planes on the runway, taxi to their houses, and park their aircraft in their private hangars.
4. What makes Siljan Airpark unique from other airparks?
Siljan Airpark is unique because it was the first airpark in Northern Europe. The area offers plenty to do. Residents and visitors to the area can enjoy swimming, bicycling, golfing, canoeing, and skiing. There are even local places to rent cars and purchase groceries. Visitors can also enjoy visiting the on-site museum, and the flying club offers cabins for rent and camping. The clubhouse provides Wi-Fi, bathrooms, showers, and a kitchen.
5. Does Siljan Airpark hold any community events or fly-ins?
Siljan Airpark holds an annual fly-in called Kräftstjärtssvängen during the first weekend of August. It’s one of the largest airshows in Scandinavia. The show typically features a lot of homebuilt, experimental, glider, and powered aircraft.