Speeding up equipment installation in Long Thanh air traffic tower, welcoming the first flight

According to VTC News, at the construction site of component project 2, the works serving flight management of Long Thanh International Airport phase 1, most of the main items have been basically completed.

In early December, hundreds of workers were still working continuously in many directions to complete the project and install equipment before the airport was ready to receive its first flight.

Long Thanh airport's control tower before the first flight. (Photo: Luong Y)

Continuous construction, "sprint" at the air traffic tower

At the air traffic control tower area - the key project, the working atmosphere is urgent from morning to night. The construction teams are divided into floors, both completing the finishing work and coordinating the installation of flight control equipment systems.

On the exterior, large aluminum panels are lifted to different heights and installed using specialized equipment. Workers take advantage of each moment to lower the tower crane to close the remaining panels. The site management board said the exterior finishing is being carried out in a rolling process "to meet the deadline".

Engineers work day and night to install equipment inside the air control tower. (Photo: Luong Y)

Inside the tower, the installation of flight control equipment is prioritized to be accelerated in December, including the information and monitoring system, command station, control panel and air traffic control support equipment. This is the most important step to ensure that the air traffic control tower can be tested and calibrated before the airport receives its first flights. The investor representative said that the construction units have increased personnel, working in shifts so as not to affect the overall progress.

According to the plan, the entire exterior of the air traffic control tower will be completed before December 15. The glass section is expected to be completed by December 8, and the aluminum facade panel system is expected to be completed before December 15.

Right next to the air traffic control tower, the VIP area has also taken shape after a rushed completion time. The roof is almost finished, the scaffolding has been partially dismantled to reveal the spacious structure. The auxiliary items, glass walls, and functional rooms are being deployed.

It is noted that in early December, many devices were installed and ready to welcome the first flight on December 19.

At the technical building, workers are installing glass partitions and finishing the offices. At the same time, another department is in charge of cleaning and clearing the premises to prepare for the handover phase.

Outside, gardening and landscaping work is also being prepared for the two days of December 14-15, including planting trees, arranging flower beds, leveling the ground and laying plastic carpets. The landscaping is considered the final step to complete the overall flight operations space.

In the area not far from the air traffic control tower, a series of other technical works have been basically completed, including primary and secondary radar stations, VHF broadcasting and receiving stations combined with ADS-B system, meteorological radar station, DVOR/DME multi-directional navigation station... These items are ready to be integrated into the synchronized flight control system when the airport comes into operation.

The investor "sets up" the construction site, preparing operational personnel

Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM), the investor of component project 2, said that the unit's leaders are closely monitoring the construction site 24/7 to handle arising problems, ensuring the project is completed on time.

The final stage is considered the most important time when technical systems and flight monitoring and control equipment must be installed synchronously, tested and continuously tested.

The working atmosphere at the air traffic control tower in early December was urgent. (Photo: Luong Y)

Mr. Nguyen Cong Long, General Director of VATM, said that the personnel preparation for Long Thanh airport has been completed. The air traffic controllers, technicians and operators have been thoroughly trained, intensively trained, and are ready to take on the task.

“We have established three specialized groups including operations, engineering and safety and security to self-evaluate and adjust operational plans. Many independent systems have also been activated to proactively handle all situations when the airport comes into operation,” Mr. Long informed.

The monitoring and operating equipment system is being installed. (Photo: Luong Y)

Component project 2 - works serving flight management within the overall Long Thanh International Airport project phase 1, started on September 29, 2022 with a total investment of nearly 3,500 billion VND. The project has a total area of about 70,000 m², of which the Air Traffic Control Tower and auxiliary works account for 24,000 m².

The air traffic control tower is designed to be 123 m high, simulating the shape of a lotus bud, creating a harmonious highlight with the architecture of the passenger terminal. On top of the tower is a flight control radar, below is a 150 m² control cabin and two apron monitoring cabins, each about 70 m². All equipment is designed with modern automation technology, with the ability to expand when the airport increases capacity in the future.

In addition to the air traffic control tower, the project also includes a radar system, a VHF station, a multi-point monitoring system (MLAT), an AWOS weather observation system, a wind shear warning system, and a medium-voltage power supply system - important components to ensure flight safety.

With the current progress, the investor said that all main items will be completed as planned, ready for trial operation and welcoming the first flight at Long Thanh airport in the near future.

Luong Y

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/tang-toc-lap-thiet-bi-trong-thap-khong-luu-long-thanh-don-chuyen-bay-dau-tien-ar991329.html