Transformation of the Bulgarian Air Force
In 1989-1990, the Bulgarian military aviation received 22 MiG-29 fighters, including 18 single-seat combat and 4 double-seat combat trainers.
After the collapse of the Warsaw Pact, the Bulgarian Air Force was significantly reduced and reorganized. The turning point in the process of transforming Bulgarian military aviation to Western standards was Bulgaria's accession to NATO, which took place in 2004. At present, the most important program for the modernization of the Bulgarian Air Force is the purchase of multi-role fighters.
Air Force School
Theoretical training of pilots of the Bulgarian military aviation takes place at the aviation department of the National Military University, and practical flight training is carried out by the 12th aviation training base. Both the National Military University and the airport with the 12th Air Base are located in the village of Dolna Mitropoli.
The decision on which of the cadets will be trained on airplanes and who on helicopters is made jointly by the Air Force Command and the aviation department of the National Military University. Students selected for aircraft training are sent to the flight qualification squadron located at Dolna Mitropoli airport, where they are trained on Pilatus PC-9M aircraft, and those selected for helicopter training are sent to Plodiv-Krumovo airport, where an autonomous flight training station equipped with Bell 206B-3 JetRanger III helicopters.
Pilatus PC-9M turboprop trainers are used for basic and advanced aviation training. There are currently about ten students per year. Within two years, PK-9M aircraft reach 200 flight hours. Then the cadets undergo tactical and combat training on the Aero Vodochody L-39ZA Albatros combat training jet.
Initially, Bulgaria intended to purchase 12 RS-9M turboprop trainers, but in the end, the number of purchased aircraft of this type was reduced to six. The contract for the purchase of six machines of this type and for the supply of one multi-purpose transport aircraft Pilatus PC-12M, designed to transport VIPs, was signed on December 5, 2003 (contract value: 32 million euros). PK-9M aircraft equipped with multifunctional liquid crystal displays were delivered in November-December 2004.
Aero Vodochody L-39ZA Albatros training aircraft are used by the Air Training Squadron. Of the 36 purchased aircraft of this type (including 18 in 1986 and 18 in 1991), only twelve are currently in service with the Bulgarian Air Force. The rest were sold to other countries or even private users. In 2004, five L-39ZA Albatros aircraft were upgraded by the Israeli company Radom and the Bulgarian company Bulgarian Avionics Services (BAS) from Sofia. The work was carried out at the aircraft repair base Bezmer. As part of the upgrade, VOR (VHF Omnidirectional), ILS (Instrument Landing System), DME (Distance Measuring Equipment), GPS (Global Positioning System) and TACAN (Tactical Navigation Assistance) receivers were installed.
