The flight crew members of the flight to Wuhan (from left): Captain Hoang Dinh Trang, First Officer Duong Trung Dung, Captain Phung Thien Quan, and standby Captain Dang Minh Tam. (Cre: FCD).

Having worked for VNA since 2016, First Officer Duong Trung Dung was still the youngest member of the crew serving the flight bringing Vietnamese nationals in Wuhan back to their country. Recalling the moment he received the mission from the leaders of the Group, he said he was nervous but full of pride. “This is VNA’ mandatory obligation as a national flag carrier, but us pilots were not forced to comply. Nevertheless, many of us still volunteered, and I was so honored to be selected,” the young First Officer happily said.    

As a pilot of the national flag carrier and a Party member, I understand and acknowledge my duties towards the Group, my Homeland, and my people, which reminds me of my first lesson: “Pilots are soldiers, we always answer the call of our Motherland.” said Trung Dung.

The young First Officer Trung Dung and Captain Phung Thien Quan are proud to be selected among many volunteers. (Cre: VNA).

According to Trung Dung, the flight met the most stringent standards with a seasoned flight crew, groups of highly trained engineers, technical staff, and ground service staff. Standby equipment and spare parts were also taken on board by VNA to tackle any potential technical issues. The ground service staff members were mobilized to better operate and monitor the flight with the highest level of prioritization, ensuring the effective implementation of the formulated plan.

Speaking about what impressed him the most, Trung Dung affirmed: “It was the cooperation between different departments, not just VNA’ departments but also other departments of medical units and foreign affairs. The flight was planned and implemented within only four days and under difficult and strict requirements. However, having borne in mind that “our fellow people can not be left behind,” we all joined hands and made efforts to bring Vietnamese people back safe and sound.”

Trung Dung can’t hide his pride in working on the flight carrying out a special mission for the first time. (Cre: VNA).

The most difficult challenge during the flight was how to protect the health of the flight crew members once the aircraft entered the epicenter Wuhan. Therefore, we had had a briefing in advance with the doctors from the National Hospital of Tropical Diseases and the Ministry of Health. At the briefing, many scenarios were considered to formulate the best protection plan for the flight.

“Another difficulty that we encountered was ensuring the health of a 36-week pregnant woman – who could give birth at any moment onboard due to being in her very last days of pregnancy – and taking into consideration how changes in the pressure and temperature on the plane might affect her. That’s why an obstetrician from the National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology was arranged to take care of this special passenger. And as you can see, the flight was a success – both the mother and her unborn child were still healthy when we landed at Van Don International Airport,” Trung Dung heaved a sigh of relief. 

The flights carrying out special missions are the obligation and responsibility of the national flag carrier. Trung Dung was proud to have contributed to this meaningful flight: “As a young pilot of VNA, that was the first time I took part in a flight of this kind, which will leave me with memories that I will carry throughout my career.”

Nguyen Mai Huong-COMM