Long Thanh Airport successfully tests PBN Procedures

(DN) - On August 3, the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM) announced that the Southern Air Traffic Management Company conducted flight operation services to evaluate Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) procedures at Long Thanh International Airport.

A specialized Beechcraft King Air 350ER aircraft was deployed to approach Long Thanh’s runway to inspect, calibrate, and assess the accuracy of the runway lighting system and the Instrument Landing System (ILS).

The testing was carried out in strict accordance with the plan approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, ensuring absolute safety and meeting the set timeline.

The Southern Air Traffic Management Company closely coordinated with its subordinate units to oversee the flight operations. It also facilitated the signing of coordination protocols between operational centers, including the Ho Chi Minh Area Control Center (ACC HCM), the Tan Son Nhat Approach Control Center (APP TSN), and the Long Thanh Air Traffic Control Center.

An agreement was signed with the Aviation Meteorology Center to provide meteorological services for the calibration flights at Long Thanh Airport. Additionally, the Southern Air Traffic Management Company signed a joint coordination agreement with the Flight Management Engineering Company, Air Force Division 370, and the Long Thanh Airport Project Management Board to ensure operational safety throughout the PBN testing process.

Long Thanh Airport’s Air Traffic Control Tower is under construction. Photo: Pham Tung

According to VATM, after three consecutive days of test flights, the crew completed all evaluations of the PBN flight procedures at Long Thanh Airport. These included Standard Instrument Departure (SID), Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR) using RNP 1 (GNSS), and Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) via RNP APCH, integrated with both ILS and RNP 1 systems. Finalizing this phase is a crucial milestone in keeping Long Thanh Airport on track for operational readiness from day one.

VATM is the investor for Component Project 2, Air Traffic Management Facilities of Long Thanh Airport Phase 1. The air traffic control tower is expected to be fully complete by September 30, 2025 (excluding specialized equipment installation). Installation and commissioning of technical systems are slated to take place between June and December 2025.

By P.Tung

Translated by M.Hanh – H.Trang