Chayka Naval Air Base (Peinerdzhika)
Chayka Naval Air Base (also Peinerdzhika) is an active military air base in Bulgaria, operated by the Bulgarian Navy. It has 1 runway (2,500 m). Home to Naval Aviation's helicopter unit.
Facility Details
| Operating Country | 🇧🇬 Bulgaria |
| Location | 🇧🇬 Bulgaria |
| Status | Active |
| Usage | Military only |
| Year built | 1915 |
| Operating Organization | Bulgarian Navy |
| Units & aircraft |
Naval Aviation's helicopter unit
|
| Coordinates | 43.1867°N, 27.8483°E |
| Elevation | 2 m (7 ft) |
| Runways |
n/a · 2,500 m (8,202 ft) · Concrete
|
Description
Chayka Naval Air Base, also known as Varna-Chaika or Tchaika, is a Bulgarian Navy facility located south of Varna on the Black Sea coast. The installation is situated on the southern edge of a river estuary. It was established as a seaplane base at Peinerdzhika by the Imperial German Navy Air Service and opened in early 1916. The site was transferred to the Bulgarian Navy in April 1918, becoming its main air base. In April 1941, it served as the base for Luftwaffe floatplanes belonging to 7 Seenotdienststaffel.
The base is operated by the Bulgarian Navy and serves as the station for the Naval Aviation helicopter unit. Aircraft types hosted at the facility include Eurocopter AS565 Panther and Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin helicopters. The base also maintains storage for Mil Mi-14 helicopters in non-flyworthy condition.
- AUG 132026 Updated Runway designations, surfaces and lengths recorded
- APR 102026 Created Page created: Chayka Naval Air Base