Eesti Lennundusmuuseum

About the museum

The Eesti Lennundusmuuseum (Estonian Aviation Museum) opened to visitors on 14 June 2002 in Lange near Tartu. The idea behind the museum was above all to provide aviation knowledge to young people interested in the field. The founder and driving force is Mati Meos, who is also the initiator and long-time organiser of the Estonian Air Days (Eesti Lennupäevad). The museum operates as a foundation and has been developed in stages with the support of the European Union and of private and public partners.

The museum is divided into several departments. The largest is the aircraft department of the outdoor exhibition, which has fighters, a bomber, strike aircraft, training aircraft, airliners and helicopters, for example the Saab JA 37 Viggen, MiG-21bis, MiG-25, F-104 Starfighter, Su-24, An-2 and Mil Mi-8. On the three floors of the main building, a 450 m² exhibition area holds nearly four hundred high-quality aircraft models that are important from the point of view of aviation history, and there are departments for naval aviation, engines and air defence. The outdoor area displays all the surface-to-air missile systems that were stationed on Estonian territory in the Soviet era.

The museum has its own grass-covered runway (410 × 24 m) with the ICAO designator EELM. The Estonian Air Days are held here every year. Since 2024 the permanent exhibition “Helikopterid Robinson R44. 22 aastat Eesti Õhuväes. 2002–2024” presents the history of the helicopter capability of Estonia since it regained independence.

Highlights

• More than 30 aircraft and helicopters in the outdoor exhibition, e.g. the Viggen, MiG-25, F-104 Starfighter and Phantom
• Model collection of more than 400 aircraft, helicopter and missile models
• Surface-to-air missiles and air-defence weapons stationed in Estonia in the Soviet era
• Permanent exhibition “Helikopterid Robinson R44. 22 aastat Eesti Õhuväes”
• Own runway and the annual Estonian Air Days air show
• Audio guide on the web platform audio.lennundusmuuseum.ee

Permanent exhibitions

• Välisekspositsioon: lennutehnika osakond – The outdoor area has fighters, a bomber, strike aircraft, training aircraft, airliners and helicopters.
• Mudelikogu – The three floors of the main building hold nearly four hundred aircraft models, plus the departments for naval aviation and engines.
• Helikopterid Robinson R44. 22 aastat Eesti Õhuväes. 2002–2024 – The permanent exhibition presents the history of the helicopter capability of Estonia since it regained independence.

Founded

2002

Operated by

SA Eesti Lennundusmuuseum

Director

Mati Meos

Admission & discounts

Free admission for children up to and including 6 years of age, wheelchair users together with a companion, guides and accompanying teachers. Hangar rental for events: price on request.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Visitors with pushchairs and wheelchairs can enter the grounds through the transport gate; opening must be arranged by phone at +372 5853 9093. There is a marked accessible parking space on the grounds. People with mobility impairments cannot access the model collection indoors, the aircraft steps, the aircraft themselves or the observation tower. An Estonian-language audio guide with descriptions of the model collection is being prepared.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum is aimed mainly at young people: pupils, students and young families. Visitors with pushchairs can enter the grounds through the transport gate.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in Veskiorg, 16 km from Tartu. From Võru Street in Tartu, drive towards Ülenurme and turn left onto the Kastre–Kurepalu–Roiu Road; after 5 km turn right in the direction of the museum sign, and it is another 6 km from there.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

The museum can host lectures, company and family events, and the hangar can be rented for events.

Plan your visit