Siyka Tsoncheva

Siyka Kostadinova Tsoncheva (1926–1971) was a Bulgarian military pilot, and the only Bulgarian woman to ever pilot a military plane, civil plane, sea plane and helicopter. During her piloting career she flew at least 11 types of airplanes.

Early life After she graduated high school in Gorna Oryahovitsa, she continued her education as a medical nurse in Varna. During her studies in university, she joined the Aeroclub in Varna and started taking courses in parachuting and swimming. She became the first gymnastics coach in her native village.

In 1952, she was assigned to the Chaika airfield, Varna. As a military pilot, she piloted the seaplanes Arado-196 A-3 "Shark," Henkel-60 "Seal." Then the service took her to the military transport aviation regiment, where she flew the Po-2, Yak-12, Li-2 and the Mi-1 helicopter.