Mikko Koli, Former Finnish Air Force F/A-18 Pilot Joins ITPS

Welcome Mikko Koli to the ITPS team! Mikko is a former Finnish Air Force F/A-18 pilot who retired at the end of 2020. He primarily flew the Hornet and BAE Hawk throughout his Air Force career. Following retirement, he worked for SAAB on a fixed-term contract as a fighter domain specialist in Finnish fighter evaluation, specifically the “HX campaign,” from 2021 to 2022.

During Mikko’s career in the Finnish Air Force, he focused on F/A-18 weapons, avionics, and systems integration programs, including multiple OFP development programs related to integration efforts. He was also involved in Finnish BAE Hawk fleet modernization and sustainment programs, among other duties. The pinnacle of his career was commanding the Finnish Air Force Detachment during AGM-158A JASSM cruise missile integration into the F/A-18 Hornet. This involved spending 1.5 years at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake and shooting the first Finnish Air Force JASSM cruise missile.

His flight experience totals approximately 3000 hours, with 1400 hours in the Hornet and 800 hours in the Hawk. He holds an EASA CPL ME IR and FAA PPL. During his summer holidays, he flies in a 4-ship SAAB Safir display group and has been a member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP) since 2011. Mikko, we look forward to your expertise and contributions to our flight test team!