VAM-1, a two-seat airplane developed by a group of technicians of the Viet Nam Association of Mechanics, is the second Vietnamese made airplane to pass test flights.
According to one of the inventors, VAM-1’s assembling was based on the BEAVER RX 550 model developed by Canada, an advanced country in making private planes.
However, some of the airplane’s components such as engine position, control cables and lading gear need to be adjusted so that its flights can fit the conditions in Viet Nam including the weather, temperature and terrain.
With the government’s approval and support from the Ministry of Defense and the Viet Nam Air Defense- Air Force and Military Zone 7, the plane finally took off on December 8, 2005.
"I’m really thrilled and happy to fly a plane that we have studied, designed, and assembled", said pilot Pham Duy Long.
After every three tests, the plane and its flight data were recorded and evaluated by the examiners board for practice flight.
The final result shows that VAM-1 has an approximate 400 km range and can fly at 130 km per hour at 3 km altitude.
Previously, VAM-1 also passed the ground test (taxi test) at a 170 km-from HCMC airport at under 30-km-per-hour speed with a 60-horse power engine.
Reportedly, following the success of VAM-1, the Association plans to design and manufacture another light plane named VAM-2 with many more advanced functions.
