Two Alenia C‐27J Spartans arrived in a low altitude tight formation. Just based on Sofia Airport, they showed
two high speed opposite crosses, hard banks and high G's number manoeuvres. With an amazing display they
proved the manageability and the agility of the new transport even at low altitudes useful to avoid enemy
antiaircraft defences in operational missions.
Flight school was represented by instructors coming from Dolna Mitropolia Air Base. They flew complex aero‐
batics, first the solo performance of a PC‐9M and then a pair of L‐39ZA that exhibited both in pair and in solo.
The jet‐trainer, retired from service a few years ago, has been reintroduced into the air force's flying school
at the end of 2013. Returned back into service at the end of March at the Graf‐Ignatievo Air Base after one
year of inactivity, MiG‐21bis opened the part of the show dedicated to fast‐jets. Two fighters provided air
coverage over the airfield showing basic combat manoeuvres filling the air with the sound of afterburners .
Two Su‐25s simulated ground target attack on the field with a series of tactical manoeuvres, high‐G turns,
deep dives and low passes, both in pair and in solo, giving a demonstration of the good agility of the Russian
attack fighter. Su‐25s are temporarily based at Graf‐Ignatievo as Bezmer Air Base is under reconstruction in
order to extend the runway, realize wider taxi ways and create a new ramp in order to meet NATO standards.
Final part of the air show saw two MiG‐29s chasing each other in a spectacular simulated dog‐fight at low al‐
titude and finally the amazing MiG‐29 solo demo performed by the Commander of the Air Force Maj. Gen.
Rumen Radev who exhibited the “Fulcrum” in an aggressive acrobatic programme. After a stunning take off
with a hard left bank, he made a series of low passes and spectacular manoeuvres such as the "Cobra" and an
incredible touch and go followed by a barrel roll. The show was closed with a fighter formation of two MiG‐
21bis', two MiG‐29s, and two Su‐25s. once on the ground, the aircraft were parked in front of the public so
people could see the pilots.
About 50,000 people attended this air show that was an excellent showcase for the Bulgarian Air Force, a
good way to attract young people to
the military world and to receive
public support for its renovation pro‐
gramme that required to buy 8‐10
new multirole fighters in the near
future.
We wish to thank the
p r e s s
o f f i c e ’ s
staff and Ognyan
Stefanov for the organization and
the support during the event.