Plane approaches Long Thanh airport runway for the first time

Beechcraft B300 aircraft flies close to the 4km runway of Long Thanh airport during the first calibration flight before putting this airport into operation.

Beechcraft B300 aircraft undergoes calibration at Long Thanh airport

At about 6:10 a.m. on September 26, a Beechcraft B300 aircraft took off from Tan Son Nhat airport. After many laps in the sky, it descended and made low passes close to runway 1.

This is the first runway of Long Thanh airport, 4 km long, 70 m wide, able to receive modern aircraft. On the third low pass, Beechcraft B300 tilted to the right, crossed the air traffic control tower, then accelerated to fly back up.

Meanwhile, the 20th floor of Long Thanh air traffic control tower is equipped with an air-to-air system, connecting communication between aircraft and controllers. Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation arranges a crew on duty at the top of the tower, performing communication operations with pilots and checking connection equipment.

Previously, in late July and early August, flight evaluation flights (only flying at high altitude, not approaching the runway) were completed, creating the premise for the calibration phase.

Beechcraft B300, or King Air B300, is a high-speed propeller aircraft used for specialized purposes such as business flying, medical flying, and patrol and reconnaissance missions...

The calibration, which will last until October 24, is carried out by the Air Traffic Management Engineering Company (ATTECH), with the participation of experts from the Czech Air Navigation Academy. The test items include the ILS/DME precision landing system, VOR/DME navigation, beacons, radar, ADS-B and related flight procedures.

Calibration flights are a mandatory step to assess accuracy and safety before commercial operation, expected in mid-2026. The calibration process includes many simulated take-off and landing flights at different angles and altitudes to calibrate and assess the accuracy of the systems.

Plane approaches runway near Passenger Terminal. Photo: Thai Ha

Long Thanh Airport is 5,000 hectares wide, with a total investment of nearly 337,000 billion VND, and is a key national project. Currently, runway 1 and the taxiway system have been completed; the passenger terminal is completing the roof and installing glass; the air traffic control tower and the operating blocks are also entering the final stage. The construction site has mobilized nearly 14,000 engineers and workers, striving to basically complete by the end of 2025, with an expected operation in mid-2026.

PV (synthesis)

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/may-bay-lan-dau-tiep-can-duong-bang-san-bay-long-thanh-521853.html