Otto Kalvitsa

Otto Kalvitsa (; 21 November 1888 – 7 March 1930) was a Finnish-born Soviet aviator and a polar explorer. He is known as one of the pioneers of the Soviet Arctic aviation.

Life Early years Otto Kalvitsa was born as a carpenter's son in the village of Kontiolahti, Northern Karelia. After finishing the elementary school, Kalvitsa entered the industrial school in Helsinki on his father's expense. Kalvitsa also took some drawing lessons in the Academy of Fine Arts. In 1903, Kalvitsa left the industrial school and started working for Hietalahti Shipyard and Engineering Works to finance his studies. In 1907–1912, Kalvitsa sailed on the ships of the Finland Steamship Company and finally finished his studies in 1913, graduating as a steam engine operator. For the next four years, Kalvitsa worked in the steam liners of the lake Päijänne. He was active in the labour movement since the 1905 general strike, and also participated the strike supporting the 1906 Sveaborg Rebellion.

Pilot in the Soviet Union Back in Saint Petersburg, Kalvitsa joined the Petrograd Red Officer School but was soon transferred to the Naval School of Aviation in Samara. In March 1921, he took part on the suppression of the Kronstadt rebellion and also fought against the Finnish Whites in the 1921–1922 East Karelian uprising.