Chief Pilot Leads Inaugural Flight to Long Thanh as Flight Instructor

According to VTC News, Captain Trần Tuấn Hưng will pilot the Boeing 787-9, departing from Tân Sơn Nhất at 3 PM and expected to land at Long Thành Airport at 3:40 PM today (December 15). This marks the first flight to touch down at Long Thành, playing a crucial role in the final assessment of operational conditions ahead of the official launch scheduled for December 19.

“Long Thành is a new airport, and this test flight requires a seasoned pilot. Captain Hưng was chosen for his extensive experience, flight hours, and reputation as a trusted flight instructor,” stated a Vietnam Airlines spokesperson.

Joining Captain Hưng are First Officer Nguyễn Anh Tài and Observer Pilot Trần Trung Dũng.

Vietnam Airlines flight VN5001 will depart from Tân Sơn Nhất (SGN) at 3 PM and arrive at Long Thành at 3:40 PM. The return flight, VN5002, will leave Long Thành at 6 PM and return to Tân Sơn Nhất at 6:40 PM on the same day.

The flight will be operated using a wide-body Boeing 787-9, registered as VN-A863, with over 10 years of service. It has a capacity of approximately 350 passengers and a range of over 14,000 km. Equipped with GEnx engines, this aircraft is notable for its fuel efficiency and reduced operational costs compared to older wide-body models.

This technical flight aims to evaluate all operational aspects, including navigation systems, communication protocols, aircraft coordination procedures, runway lighting, and apron operations. It also assesses the coordination among air traffic control teams at Long Thành.

This step is vital to ensure the airport meets all safety and security standards before its official opening.

The flight will carry only the flight crew and technical staff.

On December 19, the first commercial flight operated by Vietnam Airlines is expected to land at Long Thành Airport. Three additional flights from Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, and Bamboo Airways will follow in five-minute intervals.

Long Thành Airport has completed its first runway, taxiways, and apron area adjacent to the passenger terminal. Essential equipment such as signal lights, signage, and markings are also in place.

In air traffic management, the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM) has completed the construction of the air traffic control tower and installed key systems, including primary and secondary radars (PSR/SSR), DVOR/DME navigation systems, and ADS-B technology.

According to the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), pre-flight checks of all systems will be conducted at least 90 minutes before departure. Safety zones and sensitive areas will be established, and all relevant parties will be notified. Runway, taxiway, and apron safety inspections, including foreign object debris (FOD) and wildlife hazard assessments, will be performed 10 minutes before each flight on December 15 and 19.

Unscheduled inspections will be conducted if anomalies are detected by air traffic control or the flight crew. Continuous safety monitoring will be maintained throughout the technical and official flight operations.