After the landing of the first Bulgarian F-16, a deviation was found in the operation of one of the systems. This was announced by the commander of the Air Force Nikolay Rusev at a briefing at the Ministry of Defense. However, he specified that this does not mean that the aircraft is broken.
„While the aircraft is being accepted in its technical part, this deviation will be included in the standards, so that the flight acceptance can be carried out normally”, explained Rusev. The Air Force commander emphasized that the aircraft will fly when it is ready for flight. "I will not accept any additional risk for the pilots, the engineering and technical staff and the new aviation equipment," he was categorical.
“The procedure for accepting the aircraft is underway. It is divided into two parts - technical and flight acceptance. The procedure is lengthy and the aircraft has not been accepted. This should be clear. It will be accepted when both procedures are completed. After the technical procedure, a minimum of two flights are performed with the participation of a Bulgarian pilot. After the aircraft lands and has completed these two flights and the pilot declares that the aircraft is airworthy, we accept it and it enters service in the Air Force," added Rusev.
The Air Force is working with teams from Lockheed Martin and the US Air Force, who are assisting in accepting the aircraft. Rusev expressed confidence that with the next aircraft that will arrive in Bulgaria, the procedure will be greatly simplified due to the experience already gained.
„While the F-16 is being mastered, we will be on combat duty with the MiG-29. It will fly as long as we master the F-16. I will do my best to fulfill my assigned tasks and ensure air sovereignty and that the F-16 is brought into operational readiness in a short time. How long it will take - I cannot say. But it certainly will not be tomorrow or next week”, explained the Air Force commander.