Decho Shtarbanov, Airbus A220 Captain: “Aviation is in my blood – being a pilot is a mission of responsibility!”

Flying an aircraft is a complex profession that to many sounds like a dream – romantic, full of adrenaline and distant horizons. But behind the cockpit lies years of training, composure, responsibility, and personal sacrifice. Captain Decho Shtarbanov has been a commercial aviation pilot since 2018, and for the past three years, he has been part of the national airline’s flight crew. In 2024, he was among the crews who flew across the Atlantic Ocean to deliver the newest additions to the fleet – the Airbus A220, specifically LZ-LIS. With a total of 4,500 flight hours, including 1,500 hours on the Airbus A220 and 500 hours as a captain of the aircraft, Capt. Shtarbanov was appointed in June 2025 as the fleet manager for the A220 type aircraft.

How did your journey in aviation begin? Do you remember the first time you sat in a cockpit?

My memories of the first flight are a bit faded. On May 28, 2008, I entered the cockpit of a Cessna 152 for the first time – the beginning of my flight training. But I clearly remember my first solo flight on September 8, three months later. That day, at Lesnovo Airport, my father and grandfather – both long-time professionals in aviation – came to watch me pilot an aircraft on my own for the first time. Their pride, as well as mine, in that small achievement, which at the time felt incredible, is something I will always remember. The feeling and the responsibility of being alone in the cockpit, relying solely on my own skills and knowledge, are unforgettable.

What inspired you to choose this profession, and what has kept you in it so far?

For me, aviation is, so to speak, in my blood. Both of my grandfathers were military pilots, later becoming captains and instructors in civil aviation. One of them – Decho Shtarbanov, after whom I’m named – trained many of the captains who later trained me. Even today, I meet retired pilots who jokingly recall how he used to examine them. My grandfathers, along with my father’s great love for aviation – although he couldn’t fly due to health reasons – have been my greatest inspiration and the reason I’ve chosen to follow their path.

How do you maintain focus and composure at high altitude, especially in tense situations? Have you ever faced difficult moments during a flight?

The weight of choosing to be a pilot requires focus. Composure comes with experience. Every young pilot is highly motivated but lacks calmness, which evens out over time as one gains knowledge and flight hours. Challenges in our profession are an everyday reality. Despite the routine and familiarity with each route and airport, no two flights are ever the same. You might get last-minute changes in runway assignments, fly through bad weather, or experience a technical malfunction in the aircraft – but for a well-trained pilot, these are not difficulties, but rather specifics of the job. The training level of the personnel at Bulgaria Air is very high, and it’s no coincidence that Bulgarian pilots are found all over the world – even in the most prestigious aviation companies.

You can read the full interview with Capt. Shtarbanov on the website of InGlobo magazine – “Aviation is in my blood – being a pilot is a mission of responsibility!”