Finnair ATR 72 take off from Helsinki

Terve and hello! Join me for a passenger perspective departure on a Finnair (operated by Norra) ATR 72-500 from Helsinki Airport (HEL / EFHK). This flight featured an exceptionally rare maneuver: a powerback directly from the stand! Instead of using a traditional pushback tug, the pilots used reverse pitch on the propellers to back out under the aircraft's own power before immediately transitioning into taxi towards Runway 22R. Enjoy the wing view and the distinctive hum of the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127M engines as we roll down Runway 22R and lift off into the skies above Finland. Why Powerbacks Are Extremely Rare Today: Performing a powerback (reversing an aircraft using its own engines or variable-pitch propellers) is an absolute rarity in modern commercial aviation. Airlines and ground handlers avoid powerbacks on modern jet aircraft due to the extreme risk of Foreign Object Debris (FOD) ingestion into jet engines and severe noise levels on the ramp. Turboprops like the ATR 72 use variable-pitch propellers, allowing them to safely reverse blade pitch without generating damaging engine suction—making Finnair one of the very few carriers where you can still witness this maneuver today! Historically, Northwest Airlines (NWA) famously performed powerbacks on their DC-9 fleet, but the practice has almost completely vanished from modern airline operations. Sit back, relax, and enjoy this raw wing-view departure featuring a rare aviation maneuver! Fun Facts: Runway 22R Operations: Runway 22R is one of Helsinki Airport's primary departure runways, offering efficient routing for flights departing towards the south and west. Variable-Pitch Propellers: The ATR 72 achieves reverse movement by rotating its propeller blades past flat pitch into negative pitch, redirecting airflow forward without reversing the rotational direction of the engine shaft. Norra Regional Network: Operated by Nordic Regional Airlines on behalf of Finnair, these ATR 72s provide crucial short-haul connectivity between Helsinki and smaller regional airfields across Northern Europe. If you enjoyed this turboprop departure and rare powerback maneuver, please give the video a LIKE and SUBSCRIBE for more raw aviation footage! ✈️ 00:00 Engine Start 00:45 Power Back from the Stand 01:20 Taxi to the Runway 02:30 Passing the Main Terminal 04:15 Passing the empty De-Icing Pads that will be busy again in Winter 06:55 Take Off from Runway 22R 07:50 Helsinki in the Background 09:10 Climbing out West