Category: News

For Unification Day, the Sofia aerodrome control tower was transformed into a symbol of national unity. Dressed in the tricolor banner, it reminds us of the long way we have come as a nation, as well as our achievements in the field of aviation.

This unique building is not just a workplace for air traffic controllers, but also a symbol of the progress and development of our country. The aerodrome tower is a source of pride for Bulgarian engineering and was realized by an entirely Bulgarian team. More than 10 years ago, along with the foundations, a time capsule was laid containing two maps and a message for future generations. Today, as the world becomes more interconnected, Sofia Airport plays a key role in connecting Bulgaria to the rest of the world. With its unique architecture and technical solutions, the BULATSA tower remains a symbol of the modernity and safety of Bulgarian aviation

BULATSA opens its doors again on September 12 and 25 for everyone who wants to learn more about the Air Traffic Controller profession and get to know the enterprise’s work up close. Those wishing to participate in the initiative must register on the enterprise’s website www.bulatsa.com at “Open Days” at BULATSA – BULATSA

The Open days are traditional for BULATSA, and the visitors attend a presentation by experts from the BULATSA Academy which is the only certified organization in Bulgaria for the training of Air Traffic Controllers, according to the requirements of the European Union and the applicable national legislation.

The participants will be able to see in real time the work of the Air Traffic Control Centre and the air traffic controller training simulators as well as ask any questions regarding the work of BULATSA.

The building of BULATSA has a special access regime and everyone who has signed up for participation needs to bring an identity document and be there no later than 08:30 a.m.

BULATSA Academy is accepting applications for the autumn Air Traffic Controller recruitment campaign which closes on September 30. After that the opportunity to apply continues but those admitted will be included in the spring session of 2025.

BULATSA provided an opportunity for a summer internship to the third-year students specializing in “Aviation Engineering and Technologies” at the Technical University of Sofia.

During the internship, they were introduced to the key activities provided by BULATSA, particularly the functions and responsibilities of the engineering-technical personnel (ETP) and air traffic controllers (ATCOs).

For the second consecutive year, the internship focused on the “pseudo-pilot” position on the simulator used for the training of both Bulgarian and foreign ATCOs. In addition to the theoretical part, numerous practical exercises were conducted, allowing students to experience the nature of an ATCO’s work. This experience stimulated and increased their interest in applying to the “Become an Air Traffic Controller” campaign – https://www.bulatsa.com/etapi-kandidatstvane/.

Based on a signed cooperation agreement between BULATSA and the Technical University of Sofia, after completing their third year, students are eligible to take the FEAST test, which is part of the selection process for air traffic controllers. Those who pass the test successfully can, if they wish, work as pseudo-pilots while continuing their studies, and after obtaining their university degree, they can undergo training to become air traffic controllers.

BULATSA employees and their families, together with commercial enterprise State Forestry – Sofia, planted 55 coniferous trees in Vitosha Park on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the founding of BULATSA.

As part of the initiatives to mark this anniversary, a mass walk to Black Peak was organized at the weekend, in which participated over 200 people.

Caring for nature and green practices, as well as striving to achieve a more sustainable future, are part of BULATSA’s value system.

The airport centers in Varna, Burgas, Plovdiv and Gorna Oryahovitsa also joined the initiative.

“We want to leave a green footprint on the earth as well”, was the motto of the celebration.

BULATSA hosted the 10^th meeting of SAFOPS, which is directly linked to the EUROCONTROL Safety Team (ST) and supports the joint decision-making processes for the implementation of operational safety improvements at the Safety Team level. The meeting was attended by over 70 safety managers, investigators and experts of  ANSPs, the EUROCONTROL Network Manager (NM), Aerodrome Operators, Aircraft Operators, Aircraft Manufacturers, Professional Associations and others.

The event included a meeting between the representatives of the organizations engaged with the development of the Global Action Plan for the Prevention of Runway Incursions (GAPPRI) under the leadership of  EUROCONTROL, the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF), ICAO, IATA, ACI WORLD and CANSO. The discussions referred to the currently identified safety concerns, technical innovations and adaptation of proposals supporting the stakeholders in their quest to maintain and improve the current operational safety levels.

Published: Tuesday, 14 May 2024

On Monday, May 13^th and Tuesday, May 14^th, 2024, the governing bodies of DANUBE FAB met in Sofia for their 22nd meeting. This meeting was held in the context of the constantly evolving aviation industry, which is facing increasing demands in the region. The attendees shared a commitment to making the skies safer, more efficient, and greener.

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22^nd Meeting of the DANUBE FAB ANSP Board

Monday, 13 May 2024, Sofia

Yesterday, the DANUBE FAB ANSP Board held its 22^nd bi-annual meeting, bringing together key decision-makers and experts from ROMATSA and BULATSA. The meeting aimed to review the progress of the latest round of DANUBE FAB strategic planning and reporting, with a focus on improving the contribution of air traffic management on a regional scale.

During the meeting, the participants discussed the status of FAB procurements and InterFAB coordination activities, as well as the progress of the FAB High Priority projects. This included reviewing the future development of the FAB in order to enhance its contribution to air traffic management in the region.

Moreover, the agenda covered several topics related to ongoing SES (Single European Sky) developments, including planned joint exercises in SESAR 3 projects ATC-TBO and NETWORK TBO. The ANSP Board also addressed operational and safety matters, discussing the pressing challenges and opportunities faced by the two ANSPs.

From a social perspective, the ANSP Board agreed to organise the next DANUBE FAB Social Consultation Forum in Romania in the autumn of 2024. This forum will provide stakeholders with an opportunity to share their views and discuss important issues related to air traffic management.

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22nd Meeting of the DANUBE FAB Governing Council

Tuesday, 14 May 2024, Sofia

After the ANSP Board meeting, representatives from the Ministries of Transport, National Supervisory Authorities, military authorities, and ANSPs from Romania and the Republic of Bulgaria, came together to discuss within the 22^nd meeting of the DANUBE FAB Governing Council, the future goals and objectives of DANUBE FAB. The Council representatives reviewed the activities carried out so far in 2024, with a specific focus on two crucial ongoing projects: Free Route Airspace and InterFAB Cooperation. These projects aim to enhance air navigation services, reduce flight times, and lower fuel consumption while ensuring safety.

During the meeting, the representatives also discussed the latest EU developments, including the new texts of the Single European Sky legislation agreed upon in the last trialogue held in March 2024. They discussed the possible impact of these new requirements on all stakeholders involved, including the ANSPs, airlines, and air traffic controllers.

The DANUBE FAB Governing Bodies plan to reconvene in Romania in autumn 2024 to continue advancing their shared vision for efficient and safe air navigation services. This meeting will provide an opportunity to review progress, address any challenges,

As of 1 May 2024, BULATSA started issuing and disseminating an eGAFOR forecast.

eGAFOR is a specialized regular, digital and harmonized weather forecast aimed at the general aviation users. Currently, the forecast is produced by the aeronautical weather providers of 9 countries – Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Serbia, Montenegro and Bulgaria, whereby each weather service produces a forecast for its territory of responsibility and the users are provided with a forecast in the form of a single map covering the territories of all participating countries. The unified forecast prepared according to the same criteria is extremely useful for the users and they use it in their daily practice. BULATSA considers the participation of Bulgaria in the e-GAFOR forecast production and dissemination initiative as a valuable contribution aiming at significantly improving the provision of general aviation with meteorological information.

The eGAFOR forecast is available at https://egafor.eu and information on the parameters of the forecast can be found in Aeronautical Information Circular AIC 04/24 18 APR 24.