Air traffic management facilities ready to support technical test flights at Long Thanh Airport

On December 13, according to the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation, preparations for the technical test flight and the first official flight at Long Thanh Airport are being accelerated and finalized as part of Component Project 2 – air traffic management facilities of the Long Thanh International Airport Project.

Air traffic controllers work at the Long Thanh Airport's air traffic control tower. Photo: Collaborator

Among these, the most critical task is completing the installation and inspection of equipment at the air traffic control cabin located on the 21st floor of the Long Thanh Airport's air traffic control tower. At present, the entire air traffic management system has completed installation, calibration and testing, ready to serve technical test flights as well as future commercial operations. Displays, flight data processing systems, communication equipment, radios, audio and video recording devices, control panels, meteorological display systems and other components are all fully operational and have run stably through multiple rounds of inspection. These are modern, advanced systems that meet all technical requirements and standards. Teams of technicians are on duty around the clock, carefully reviewing every detail such as signal latency, sensitivity and the ability to respond to all possible scenarios.

 In parallel, the primary and secondary radar systems, ADS-B, meteorological systems and ground surveillance cameras are operating stably. Data are continuously verified through independent testing procedures. A high-capacity UPS system and two backup generators are in place, with automatic power transfer procedures tested multiple times. The TETRA system, coordinated with ACV, has been fully integrated into the network; emergency communication channels have successfully passed 100% of test scenarios; and technical forces remain on 24/7 standby.

Given its particularly critical nature, the Long Thanh Airport's air traffic control tower is equipped with a dedicated backup power and network system, along with specialized equipment meeting the most stringent technical requirements.

Radar station supporting air traffic management operations at Long Thanh Airport. Photo: Collaborator

To ensure absolute safety for technical test flights and the first official flights, the Southern Air Traffic Management Company has mobilized its most experienced personnel from the Ho Chi Minh City Area Control Center (Ho Chi Minh ACC) and the Tan Son Nhat Approach Control Center (Tan Son Nhat APP) to support operations at Long Thanh Airport.

Over the past more than two months, Long Thanh air traffic controllers have undergone training in accordance with standards set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, including theoretical instruction on the Tan Son Nhat – Long Thanh airspace; full-scenario SIM simulation exercises; OJT (on-the-job training) at the air traffic control tower; safety assessments for each new flight procedure; and hazard identification during the initial phase of mixed operations. As a result, 100% of controllers have been certified to directly manage air traffic operations at Long Thanh Airport.

 At the same time, the Southern Air Traffic Management Company has led and participated in comprehensive drills with the Southern Airports Authority, the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) and airlines. Air traffic management scenarios ranging from simple to complex, including responses to abnormal situations and airport emergencies, have been thoroughly rehearsed. Field inspections of the taxiway and apron systems have also been completed, ensuring synchronization.

By Pham Tung – Translated by Dang Huyen, Thu Ha