The first plane approaches runway 1 of Long Thanh Airport

(DN) - At about 6:10 a.m. on September 26, Beech King Air 350ER aircraft numbered B350 conducted a calibration flight at Long Thanh Airport. This was the first flight in a calibration flight period that will last for about the next month.

Calibration flight is a mandatory technical step to check, evaluate and perfect aviation equipment systems, ensuring absolute safety before Long Thanh Airport officially comes into operation.

Airplanes approach the runway of Long Thanh Airport in front of the air traffic control tower. Photo: Pham Tung

According to the flight plan approved by the Department of Operations ( Ministry of National Defense ), the calibration flight will take place from September 26 to October 24, 2025. The vehicle used is a specialized Beech King Air 350ER aircraft, which is chosen by many countries for calibration activities thanks to its flexible maneuverability, high stability and ability to meet strict technical requirements.

During this flight, Air Traffic Management Engineering Company Limited (ATTECH), a member unit of Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM), will calibrate a series of important systems of Long Thanh Airport, including 2 ILS/DME precision landing support systems; 1 VOR/DME navigation system; 1 airport lighting system; radar and ADS-B surveillance systems; and flight methods related to the above equipment.

The organization and implementation of the calibration flight is directly carried out by ATTECH. The participating team includes experienced experts from ATTECH, along with experts from the Czech Republic Air Navigation Academy, under flight license number 3792/TC-QC. The participation of international experts not only ensures objectivity, but also enhances the prestige and reliability of the entire evaluation process.

Airplanes approach the runway of Long Thanh Airport in front of the passenger terminal. Photo: Pham Tung

To ensure absolute safety and efficiency, before conducting the calibration flight, on September 16, the relevant parties held a coordination conference. The meeting was attended by many units under VATM (Southern Air Traffic Management Company, ATTECH, Air Traffic Flow Management Center, Aviation Information Center, Aviation Meteorological Center, etc.), Long Thanh Airport Project Management Board (ACV) and Air Force Division 370. The parties agreed on the process and coordination plan to ensure all calibration flights take place safely, accurately and on schedule.

Long Thanh Airport Phase 1, when completed, will have a capacity to serve 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of cargo per year, contributing to reducing the load on Tan Son Nhat Airport, and at the same time becoming an international aviation transit center in the region. According to the Prime Minister 's request, Long Thanh Airport must basically complete construction by the end of 2025 and put into commercial operation in the first half of 2026.

Pham Tung

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/kinh-te/202509/chiec-may-bay-dau-tien-tiep-can-duong-bang-so-1-san-bay-long-thanh-91c32bb/