Planespotting Guides for Bulgaria's Airports and Airfields
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PLOVDIV AIR BASE (LBPD/PDV)
Spotting Info
Southeast of Kromovo town, the northern perimeter road has great views onto the main apron as it's all wire mesh fencing. You then turn right and follow the road round to the terminal, with gaps between buildings for more views. As the road bends right towards the terminal, straight ahead is the small GA area, with four (possibly stored) twin props parked out on the grass.
Heading south along the same perimeter road, away from the terminal, take the next left for the Muzej na Aviatsiyata (Aviation Museum). Open Wednesday-Sunday 0900-1700 summer, 0900-1600 winter. A great mix of aircraft, fighters, helicopters though keep a good lookout as they're tucked behind various buildings as well. On the other side of the road running through the museum, is a helicopter park with several helicopters preserved and there may be active helicopters parked out on the base here.
Away to the southeast of the museum is where around a dozen or so helicopters are parked, and probably out of sight from the museum. Head away from the museum and turn left at the T-junction (right takes you back to the airport). At the next T-junction, turn left onto road 86. Follow it for around a mile and at the crossroads turn left. Go over the railway line and fork left. The road then takes a sharp right and leads to some sort of quarry. On this sharp right bend, you'll need to find somewhere suitable to park to allow large vehicles to be able to pass, then walk north to the perimeter fence and all the helicopters parked up. Be as quick and discreet as you can.
SOFIA AIRPORT (LBSF/SOF)
General Airport Info
There is a free shuttle bus between the two terminals (useful to view the various parking areas otherwise you'd have to walk it) but no signs or bus stops to help you out. Be aware there are many illegal taxis trying to get your business, but you're just as likely to get ripped off by an official taxi, so avoid them all. No problems with spotting at this airport. Not a busy airport, but there's a wide variety of types here, whether on maintenance with LH Technik or stored on the various aprons dotted around. A few hours is more than enough to get what's here.
Terminal 1
Used by the low cost carriers, on arrival there are a few windows inside that offer views before you go landside. Landing at Terminal 1 means you'll be parking near the biz and VIP ramps and you should be able to log these if you're sitting on the starboard side. When airside, the apron in front of the terminal can be seen, as well as aircraft that taxi to Terminal 2. Make sure you have a port window seat on departure so you can read off the various ramps as you taxi out.
West of Terminal 1 is the government/VIP terminal where you'll often see bizjets, helicopters and airliners, out of sight when airside. Turn right out of Terminal 1 and you can follow the perimeter fence for views of it. On the western perimeter is a parking area used for storage. By walking through the park, then onto the main road and down the road towards the VIP terminal, those parked here can be read off through the trees, but don't get too close to the VIP terminal as you will be being watched. Don't hang around.
Terminal 2
Airside at Terminal 2 there is a large viewing terrace with views of some Terminal 2 stands, the runway so you can log movements, and views of the northside apron but it's only accessible if you have a boarding card and go through security. Elsewhere, the huge panoramic views through this mainly glass single pier mean everything on stand here is logged and nothing is missed. If you head down towards gate 7 at the end of the pier, there are seats overlooking the runway. Nothing is missed, and most taxi past you allowing good photos. You also have views of the Bulgarian Air Force and stored frames on the northern aprons. East of these, on its own, is Tu134 LZ-TUZ. Runway direction will determine the best side to sit on for views of Terminal 1 or the stored aircraft northside.
Landside, to the left side there is a parking area which gives views along one side of the pier. Between the two terminals are some hangars with a number of aircraft on the ramp and stored aircraft on the rough ground. Most can be read off from the fences nearby, just walk up the grass banks to look down on them. For great photos and to log movements, turn left out of Terminal 2 and walk through the park, following the river north. It's about a 15 minute walk but is possibly the best spot at the airport - the sun is always behind you, regardless of time of day and throughout the whole year, so is great for photos.
Northside
Various military and civil aircraft park (and are stored) on the northside ramps - LET410s, An2, An24s, An26s, Mi2s, Yak40s, 146s, MD80s, Tu134s to name several. While moving between terminals, keep looking north for views of these aircraft. If you have transport (or wish to hire a taxi to take you there and back - agree on a fee beforehand), you can freely enter the ex-military area and head down all the nooks and crannies to log the stored aircraft, Mi2s, Bulgarian AF transports and various others parked up.
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