Airport type Public Location Bulgaria Website www.airportdb99.com | Serves Dolna Banya Elevation AMSL 1,778 ft / 542 m 09/27 2,526 | |
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Dolna Banya Airport (ICAO: LBDB) is a public use airport located 2 nm east of Dolna Banya, Sofiya, Bulgaria and is the first private-owned airfield in Bulgaria. The airport features one single runway. One large hangar, together with an operations room, briefing room and other facilities. One smaller hangar, three concrete/asphalt taxiways a main and a smaller apron and a refuelling station.
The airfield is mainly used for general aviation and private flights. It can be said that it is one of the most active GA airfields in Bulgaria. LBDB airport is also the home base of RATAN Flight School - an organization co-owned by the airport's operator. RATAN Flight School is by 2014 the most popular flight academy in the country, providing training for PPL(A), IR, SEP, MEP, CPL and FI. RATAN is operating following aircraft:
2x Tecnam P-92JS 1x Tecnam P2002JF 1x Tecnam P2002JR (Garmin EFIS/RG) 1x Tecnam P2006T Twin engine aifraft.
The company is owned by a former commercial pilot - a long year wide-body captain and instructor. The flight instructors are mostly active commercial pilots (including L-410, Boeing 737 and McDonnell Douglas MD-80 first officers and captains) with a vast FI experience, or highly qualified ex-military pilots (including MiG-21, MiG-23 and Su-22 up to the rank of colonel).
The airfield also features and air park, a swimming pool and the close vicinity of the Maritsa river makes it suitable for different kinds of recreation. One of the most popular ski resorts in Bulgaria - Borovets is 20 km/11 nm away from LBDB. It can be reached by car within 15 minutes. Dolna Banya is located about 11 km roadway away from the Trakia highway, which makes it easily accessible from the capital Sofia and the second largest city of Plovdiv.