13 June 2026 | Gorna Oryahovitsa Airport (LBGO/GOZ)
Official Opening: 09:00
Under the Patronage of Gorna Oryahovitsa Municipality
On 13 June 2026, Gorna Oryahovitsa Airport will become a hub for aviation, education, technology, bold ideas, and inspiration for young people.
The Aviation Show “Inspiring Young People: The Sky Is the Beginning” is held under the patronage of Gorna Oryahovitsa Municipality, in active partnership with the Bulgarian Aviation Industry Association (BAIA), and hosted by Gorna Oryahovitsa Airport.
The event will bring together representatives of the aviation industry, educational institutions, technology companies, pilots, engineers, and experts in drones, cybersecurity, space technologies, and the professions of the future.
The primary objective is to give children, school pupils, and university students the opportunity to meet the people shaping the future of aviation, ask questions, and discover pathways for education, professional development, and future careers.
Special Highlight: World Record Attempt
One of the programme’s most significant highlights will be the official Guinness World Records attempt by five-time Guinness World Records and FAI record holder Nikolay Kalaydzhiev to complete 1,000 take-offs and landings in a traffic pattern within 15 hours.
The record-breaking flight will begin at sunrise and continue until sunset. The challenge is not merely a demonstration of piloting skills, but also an example of exceptional concentration, physical and mental endurance, discipline, preparation, and professionalism.
Nikolay Kalaydzhiev is a professional military pilot, a Spartan aircraft commander, a light aircraft pilot, and an aerobatic competitor. His example shows young people that great achievements begin with a dream, but are realised through knowledge, hard work, and perseverance.
What Visitors Will See
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore:
- aviation companies and aircraft;
- educational institutions and aviation academies;
- drones and unmanned systems;
- space technologies and space food;
- careers in aviation and engineering;
- cybersecurity solutions;
- digital technologies and artificial intelligence;
- авиационна литература и история;
- innovative Bulgarian companies and entrepreneurs.
The event will feature musical, dance, and youth performances, educational presentations, demonstrations, exhibition stands, and meetings with pilots, engineers, educators, entrepreneurs, and experts.
Programme
05:02 h
Start of the World Record Attempt
Nikolay Kalaydzhiev begins his attempt to complete 1,000 take-offs and landings within 15 hours.
08:30 – 09:00 h.
Welcoming of Official Guests, Participants, and Visitors
Registration and access to the exhibition area.
09:00 – 09:05 h.
Official Opening
A dance featuring the Bulgarian tricolour, performed by the Gracia Ballet.
09:05 – 09:10 h.
Introduction of the Organisers and Partners
- Gorna Oryahovitsa Municipality;
- Bulgarian Aviation Industry Association – BAIA;
- Gorna Oryahovitsa Airport;
- partners from the aviation, education, technology, and institutional sectors.
09:10 – 09:25 h.
Official Addresses
Приветствия от представители на:
- Mayor of Gorna Oryahovitsa Municipality, Nikolay Rashkov;
- Ivan Vasilev – Minister of Innovation and Digital Transformation;
- Mira Yosifova – Deputy Minister of Innovation and Digital Transformation;
- Marin Bogomilov – Regional Governor of Veliko Tarnovo;
- Todor Ivandjikov, Chairman of the Management Board of the Bulgarian Aviation Industry Association;
- Antoni Tarnitsov – Gorna Oryahovitsa Airport;
- Representatives of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Directorate General Civil Aviation Administration, and BULATSA;
- Sponsors and Partners
09:25 – 09:35 h.
Message to Young People
Presentation of education and professional development opportunities in aviation, engineering, space technologies, cybersecurity, and emerging technology sectors.
09:35 – 09:45 h.
Presentation of the Official Guinness World Records Attempt
Presentation of Nikolay Kalaydzhiev, his aviation achievements, and the challenge of completing 1,000 take-offs and landings.
09:45 – 10:10 h.
Youth Cultural Programme
Featuring:
- Mama Mia Music School;
- music groups from Vicho Grancharov Secondary School;
- Pastrenitsa Children and Youth Ensemble;
- Priklyuchentsi Children and Youth Folk Dance Ensemble;
- modern ballet dance ensemble from the Ivan Vazov 1893 Community Centre, Parvomaytsi;
- participants in majorette dance, taekwondo, and acrobatics demonstrations.
10:10 – 11:00 h.
Educational and Exhibition Area
Meetings with representatives of aviation companies, educational institutions, technology organisations, drone companies, academies, and innovators.
Visitors will be able to learn more about the following professions:
- pilot;
- aeronautical engineer;
- aircraft maintenance technician;
- air traffic controller;
- drone operator;
- cybersecurity specialist;
- software developer;
- aviation safety specialist;
- researcher and entrepreneur;
11:00 – 11:30 h.
Aviation Education and the Professions of the Future
Presentations by:
- Georgi Benkovski Bulgarian Air Force Academy, Dolna Mitropolia;
- Technical University of Sofia, Department of Air Transport;
- WAS.
- BULATSA;
11:30 – 12:00 h.
Drones, Unmanned Systems, and the New World of Low-Altitude Aviation
Presentation of the development of the low-altitude economy and the applications of drones in transport, security, agriculture, logistics, rescue operations, industry, and education.
Participants:
- Bulgarian Unmanned Aerial Systems – Kontrax;
- Tempest Systems.
12:00 – 12:30 h.
Space Is Closer Than We Think
Presentation of space technologies, science, food, medicine, engineering, simulations, and professional development opportunities in the space sector.
Special participation by ANTARTA Space Food.
After 12:30
Aviation Manufacturing, Innovation, and Emerging Technologies
Presentation by Nikolay Nikolov, founder of NIKI Rotor Aviation, on the challenges and opportunities facing Bulgaria’s aviation manufacturing sector.
Demonstrations and presentations of aircraft, equipment, technologies, and participants in accordance with the technical programme.
Exhibition Area
During the event, visitors will also be able to visit the stands of:
- Krile Magazine;
- проф. Димитър Недялков – авиационен експерт, преподавател и автор;
- Prof. Dimitar Nedyalkov – aviation expert, lecturer, and author;Cyber One;
- European Digital Innovation Hub Trakia;
- aviation and technology companies;
- educational institutions;
- exhibitors offering aviation souvenirs and specialised products.
17:00 – 18:00
Final Session and Monitoring of the World Record Attempt
Обобщение на събитието и проследяване на заключителните етапи от опита на Николай Калайджиев за поставяне на световен рекорд.
The Message of the Event
Aviation is far more than flight. It is education, discipline, technology, teamwork, safety, industry, and a dream transformed into a profession.
The event shows young people that the future is not something they should wait for. It is something they can create.
The sky is not the limit. The sky is the beginning.
On the same day — Saturday, 13 June — Gorna Oryahovitsa will offer visitors even more exciting experiences as part of the unique Gorna Oryahovitsa Sudzhuk Festival. This traditional event attracts thousands of visitors and admirers of the renowned dried beef delicacy to the town every year.
Gorna Oryahovitsa Sudzhuk was the first Bulgarian product to be entered in the European register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications. Across Europe, only two local companies are authorised to produce Gorna Oryahovitsa Sudzhuk, both of which comply with strict quality requirements.
This year’s edition of the festival dedicated to the local speciality will take place from 11 to 14 June, inclusive, in the festival area near the Summer Theatre. Visitors will enjoy farmers’ products, craft workshops, an amusement park, games, prizes, culinary tastings, and a continuous programme of music and dance. Each of the four evenings will also feature performances by some of Bulgaria’s most beloved music stars.