Dear Cirrus Pilot,
This is to give you an update on the 2012 European Migration to Varna, Black Sea, Bulgaria. At this time, we have already 75 attendees registered – this will be a fabulous event !
If you want to join us, register on the COPA website - Event Calendar - European Events.
The Bulgarian Black Sea
The Bulgarian Black Sea covers the entire eastern bound of Bulgaria, stretching from Romania in the north to Turkey in the south, along 378 km of coastline. White and golden sandy beaches occupy approximately 130 km of the southern coast. The area’s average air temperature in the summer is about 28°C, with the average water temperature at 26°C (but probably not yet in May), with more than 240 hours of sunshine in May.
The Balkan Mountains cross the country reaching to the edge of the Black Sea at Cape Emine, dividing the coastline into a southern and northern part. The northern coast, where we are going to, features rocky headlands where the sea abuts cliffs up to 70 meters in height, much less tourism, and beautiful sights. Varna is the third largest city in the country.
Cape Kaliakra is approximately 60 km north-east of Varna. Cape Kaliakra is one of the most beautiful and historic Capes in Europe. The fortress was succesively used by Tracians, Romans, Byzantines and Bulgarians. According to legends, the fortress was guarding the treasures of Lyzimah, successor of Alexander the Great. Today, the area is known as the “Signature Golf Coast”, featuring many golf courses, spas, natural treasures and wildlife.
Lighthouse Golf & Spa Resort, Cape Kaliakra, Black Sea
We have selected a beautiful hotel for you, the 5-Star Lighthouse Golf & Spa Resort in Balchik. We got special prices from € 100 (single), € 130 (double) to € 170 (suite), including breakfast and dinner. Please name “COPA” or “Cirrus” when making the reservation. Since Pentecoste is a holiday in most countries, many of us will have an extended long weekend (Monday included). And if you like, your stay can easily be extended if you let us know early enough.
Lighthouse Golf & Spa Resort offers a wide range of facilities and activities, such as a 18-hole Signature Golf Course, a Golf Academy, a 3.000 sqm Spa & Wellness Center, an exclusive beach with beach bar, a variety of bars and restaurants, and beautiful surroundings.
The hotel is of modern style, as you can see in the following pictures.
How to get to Varna (LBWN)
Although it’s a long stretch in a Cirrus (4.5 hours from Frankfurt in the SR22, and 5.5 hours in the SR20, with the typical westerly winds), the route itself is not very demanding – it basically follows the valley of the Danube river from Germany right to the destination. The destination airport at Varna is run by Fraport Twin Star Airport Management, the same company running the Frankfurt airport, and all typical resources (instrument approaches, long runways, parking facilities, Avgas etc) are available for a reasonable fee. To make it easier for those of you not wanting to fly the whole distance in one day, we will organize an overnight stop in Hungary, at scenic Lake Balaton, from Thursday evening to Friday morning. We will also have a flight planning room there and Flight Instructors available who will assist you in planning the leg from Hungary to the Black Sea. Also, we’ll have Flight Instructors available who will lead a fleet, or who will be available to ride with you, if desired. Same for the return flights, as desired.
The Program
The program will start at noon on Friday, May 25, with the arrival at the airport of Varna, Bulgaria, where we will be invited by the airport authorities into their VIP lounge for some drinks and snacks. After that, shuttle buses are available to bring you into the hotel.
After having been transferred into the hotel, we’ll rejoin in the evening for an informal get-together and dinner.
On Saturday, we’ll offer something for every taste: In the morning (9-12), we’ll present the highly recommended CDM Safety Course - Critical Decision Making. In parallel, for the non-pilots, we’ll offer the famous PIC Partner-in-Command course.
In the afternoon, we’ll explore the local area around the hotel or take advantage of the many activities the hotel offers - such as a 18-hole Signature Golf Course, a Golf Academy, a 3.000 sqm Spa & Wellness Center, an exclusive beach with beach bar, a variety of bars and restaurants, and beautiful surroundings.
Saturday Evening, we’ll have the traditional banquet for the whole Cirrus Family – a wonderful opportunity to socialize with friends, and friends to be made.
On Sunday, excursions to some more scenic points are planned. In addition, we might be able to offer a sail ship tour on the Black Sea. Or you explore the golf and spa facilities of the resort. Or you head out to the beach. And we are still working on some more ideas for Sunday.
Registration
The E10 Migration is already open for your registration on the COPA website (www.cirruspilots.org) or directly on Regonline as given on the front page of this invitation letter. Should you run into any difficulties while registering, please send an email to copaeurope@cirruspilots.org to learn about alternative ways for registration.
The nominal fee is Euro 245.00. Children up to and including 15 yrs will register for Euro 80.00. Cancellations are free until 21 days before the event because afterwards COPA is committed to the vendors. However, a “Protection” can be selected during registration which will allow you to retrieve your participation fee in case you need to cancel closer to the event.
Hotel reservation needs to be done through our handling agent in Sofia, CHRISS Air Ltd. – please mention “COPA” or “Cirrus” to get the special rate. Hotel rooms go from Euro 100.00 for a single room up to Euro 180 for a double suite. Please contact:
Ms. Dessislava Simeonova**
General Manager
CHRISS Air Ltd
19 “Patriarh Evtimii” Blvd.
1142 Sofia, Bulgaria
Tel.: +359 2 9815091; 9807589
Fax: +359 2 9815096
Mobile: +359 887 482492
e-mail:** simeonova.desislava@chrissair.com
We very much hope that this program finds your interest and that we’ll all meet in Bulgaria !!
