Chayka Naval Air Base

Chayka Naval Air Base (Bulgarian: Морска авиобаза "Чайка") is a Bulgarian Navy base. It may be spelled 'Tchaika' and is sometimes known as Varna-Chaika. Chaika means seagull in Bulgarian. It is located on the northern edge of a river estuary south of the city of Varna on the Black Sea coast.

63rd Chayka Naval Air Base
Summary
Airport typeMilitary
OperatorMilitary
LocationVarna, Bulgaria
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
Concrete
Source: DAFIF[1]

History

A seaplane base at Peinerdzhika (or Peynerdjik) was established by the Imperial German Navy Air Service and opened in early spring 1916 during World War I. It was handed over to the Bulgarian Navy in April 1918 and became its main air base. On 5 April 1941 it became the base for Luftwaffe floatplanes of 7 Seenotdienststaffel. It is home to the Naval Aviation's helicopter unit.

On 9 June 2017, during a training mission of artillery fire against surface targets as a part of the Bulgarian Navy's "Black Sea-2017" exercises, a Panther helicopter crashed in the water, killing the commander and injuring the other two officers on board. The helicopter's main rotor made contact with the fore flagpole of the frigate BGS-41 Drazki, sending it into the sea.[2] After the flagpole strike commander Captain Georgi Anastasov turned back to the frigate to attempt an emergency landing in the water nearby. According to Navy officials his actions directly contributed to the saving of the other two officers on board with only minor injuries. His efforts led to his posthumous promotion to Major.

Bulgarian Eurocopter AS565 Panther in Paris Air Show

The base hosts two Eurocopter AS565 Panther and one Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin helicopters. Three Mil Mi-14 which are not in flyworthy condition are held in storage at the base.

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See also

References
  1. Airport information for LB20 at World Aero Data. Data current as of October 2006.Source: DAFIF.
  2. http://www.aeropress-bg.com/news/bulgaria/4500-%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%86%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%82-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%B2%D0%B5%D1%80%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B5%D1%82-panther-%D0%BE%D1%82-%D1%81%D1%8A%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%B2%D0%BC%D1%81

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