Beechcraft B300 aircraft begin calibration flights at Long Thanh Airport in Dong Nai Province on September 26.
At around 6.10 am, the aircraft took off from Tan Son Nhat Airport and, after several circuits, made approaches, descended and flew along Runway 1. The runway, Long Thanh’s first, is 4 kilometres long and 70 metres wide, capable of handling modern aircraft.
At the same time, VATM stationed a team in the Long Thanh control tower, where air traffic controllers communicated with the pilot and checked technical connections.
Air traffic controllers communicate with the pilot and check technical connections.
The Beechcraft B300, also known as the King Air B300, is a high-speed turboprop used for business flights, medical transport and patrol or reconnaissance missions.
The calibration campaign, conducted by the Air Traffic Management Technical Company (ATTECH) with support from experts of the Czech Aviation Navigation Institute, will run until October 24. It covers checks of the ILS/DME precision landing system, VOR/DME navigation, beacons, radar, ADS-B and related flight procedures.
Calibration flights are mandatory to assess system accuracy and safety before commercial operations, scheduled to begin in mid-2026. The process includes multiple simulated take-offs and landings at various altitudes and angles.
Earlier, in late July and early August, VATM had carried out flight procedure validation flights, which only tested airspace routes without approaching the runway.
Covering 5,000 hectares with total investment of nearly VND 337 trillion (approximately USD 13.7 billion), Long Thanh is a key national project. Runway 1 and taxiways have been completed, the passenger terminal is nearing completion of roofing and glass installation, and the control tower and operations buildings are in their final stages.
