Three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red. The pan-Slavic white-blue-red colors were modified by substituting a green band (representing freedom) for the blue.

Flag courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Map courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Google Earth

Belogradchik Rocks near Vidin. Each of the limestone rocks has its own name.

Photo courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Government

According to Britannica, in July 1991 the National Assembly adopted a new constitution establishing a parliamentary government and guaranteeing direct presidential elections, separation of powers, and freedom of speech, press, conscience, and religion. New laws allowed for the return of the properties that had been confiscated by the previous communist governments. Other laws aimed at meeting EU standards were passed, including those regarding competition, foreign investment, intellectual property rights, and a commercial code.

Under the terms of the 1991 constitution, Bulgaria is a parliamentary republic, i.e., the prime minister is elected by the majority party (or coalition of parties) in the National Assembly (parliament). The president, who is elected for a five-year term, is the head of state. The president schedules national referenda and elections for the National Assembly, serves diplomatic and other functions, and promulgates and can veto laws.

According to the constitution, the nation’s governing body, the Council of Ministers, is proposed by the president in consultation with the various groups of the National Assembly and with the majority party’s candidate for prime minister. Comprising the prime minister, deputy prime ministers, and ministers, the Council of Ministers is charged with coordinating and overseeing the implementation of policies on both domestic and foreign issues in accordance with the constitution and laws of Bulgaria.

The National Assembly, a unicameral, representative body composed of 240 members, constitutes the legislative branch of the government. It passes and amends laws, ratifies treaties, levies taxes, and retains the power to pass a motion of no confidence in the Council of Ministers or the prime minister, thereby compelling the resignation of the council. Members of the National Assembly serve four-year terms.

Township councils embody state power at the local government level. The members of the township councils are elected by the inhabitants of the township to four-year terms. Executive power at the level of local government lies with the elected mayor of a township. Between the township and state levels of government is the oblast, or province, government.

The court system consists of the Supreme Court of Cassation, the Supreme Administrative Court, local courts, courts of appeal, and military courts. The constitution provides that specialized courts may also be established. At the head of the prosecutorial structure is the prosecutor general.

The High Judicial Council, consisting of 25 members, appoints judges, prosecutors, and investigators. The members of this council are appointed by the National Assembly and judicial authorities. The Constitutional Court, composed of 12 justices (each of whom serves a nine-year term), is charged with interpreting the constitution and ruling on the legality of measures passed by the National Assembly. The parliament, the president, and the supreme courts each appoint four justices.

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Administration

Member States of the European Union are obliged to establish a National Supervisory Authority (NSA) in order to carry out the tasks assigned to such a body under Single European Sky Legislation. In order to implement the provisions of the regulations for the Single European Sky, the Republic of Bulgaria with amendment of Art. 16c of the Civil Aviation Act, designated the Directorate General of Civil Aviation Administration as the National Supervisory Authority (NSA) with regard to the safe and effective operation of air navigation service providers.

Airspace

SkyVector – Google Maps – ADS-B Exchange

ICAO countries publish an Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP). This document is divided into three parts: General (GEN), En Route (ENR) and Aerodromes (AD). ENR 1.4 details the types of airspace classes they chose to adopt from classes A through G.

BULATSA AIP

BULATSA

Bulatsa

The Air Traffic Control Department provides aviation users with access to the Aeronautical Information and Publication (AIP) of the Republic of Bulgaria, aeronautical meteorological services, airspace utilization plan and VFR flight planning.

Drone Regulations

UAS Laws

Interactive Maps

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Regulations & Policies

None found by the author.

However, should you, the reader, happen to stumble across something to the contrary, please email the author at FISHE5CA@erau.edu and you may be mentioned in the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS section of this book by way of thanks for contributing to this free eBook!

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) News

2025

Video courtesy of Advanced Air Mobility Institute from the January 2025 Global AAM Forum. Complete session for Day 1 of this Forum is available on the Advanced Air Mobility Institute YouTube Channel

2023 – Eurocontrol delivers workshop to provide U-space guidance and support in Sofia, Bulgaria

Short Essay Questions