Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgarian pilots continue F-16 training flights at the Graf Ignatievo Air Base

Photo: Council of Ministers

The Bulgarian pilots have a long period of intensive training ahead of them. This is what Major Jason Royko, who delivered Bulgaria’s first F-16 at the beginning of April and will receive the next seven aircraft, told the Bulgarian National Radio. Jason Royko will be the instructor responsible for training Bulgarian pilots at Graf Ignatievo Air Base.

"We will continue flying the F-16 here in Bulgaria. The more you fly and the more you practice, the better you become. The Bulgarian pilots have already completed their specialized training in the United States. From what I’ve seen and from working with the Bulgarian F-16 pilots, based on the training they received, I’ve already seen great progress", said Major Jason Royko.

A total of 18 pilots have so far been sent for F-16 training to the United States. Two of them have already completed the basic course for this type of aircraft. 




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Todor Chobanov

Bulgaria expects the return of over 2,700 antiques from abroad

Around 90% of the antiques seized during an international operation targeting a cultural property trafficking network will be returned to Bulgaria, Deputy Minister of Culture Todor Chobanov told “Nova TV”.   “This is an unprecedented operation in..

published on 11/25/25 9:22 AM
Vladimir Perev

Hate speech in Skopje has led to an attack on journalist Vlado Perev

The journalist and doyen of the Bulgarian community in North Macedonia, Vladimir Perev, was verbally and physically attacked in a shop in Skopje. He himself reported the incident in a publication on the “Tribuna” website. Perev, who is 80 years..

published on 11/25/25 8:56 AM
'Not one more'

Bulgaria joins the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

To mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, a number of cities in Bulgaria will hold marches today under the slogan 'Not one more'.  The Bulgarian Fund for Women (BFW) will also be taking part in the marches...

published on 11/25/25 7:35 AM