Finland F5D Team

The Finnish F5D team consists of the 3 pilots Tuomas Pietinen, Jussi Mannerberg and Antti Saikkonen
Team Manager, Lars Åkerblom
Helper, Aki Pakarinen


Lars Åkerblom, Team manager
Age 54, Engineer both in production technology and in powertechnology.
Long time aeromodeller in second generation, started modelling in 1965.
Belongs to the "pioneers of E-flight" in Finland.
Has run first all-electric model shop in Finland
Created the first national electric glider class (F5J-Nordik).
Has lectured around Finland of E-flight possibilites from very early on.
Tuomas Pietinen, Pilot
Age 30, audio-visual producer, photographer.
Author of countless E-flight articles in several model magazines
Very active in Finnish E-flying scene.
Electric pylon racing since 2001, 2003 Finnish F5D and F5D-400 champion
Inherited model flying from his father, spent childhood in C/L Speed ring!
Tuomas Pietinen
Jussi Mannerberg, pilot
Age 39, naval architect, yacht designer
Engineering background in hydro- and aerodynamics
Aeromodelling since 1975. Started in glow.
Switched to full-size sailing
Now back in aeromodelling flying all-electric!
Jussi Mannerberg
Antti Saikkonen, pilot
Age 21, Engineering student in aircraft manufacturing and aerodynamics.
F5D Finnish champion 2004.
Flies glow as well as electrics, basically anything that goes fast.
Interested in lightweight composite structures.
Seems to be turning into a future profession.
So anything that goes fast AND is made from carbon!
Antti Saikkonen

Aki Pakarinen, Official helper
Age 26, Doctoral student in Aerodynamics
Currently carrying out a research project for Airbus in London.
Enthusiastic glider modeller,
both electric and non powered (especially SAL-HLG).