Huge RAF plane makes “touch-and-go” landing at Southend Airport

A Royal Air Force C-17 Globemaster made a rare visit to Southend, with a touch-and-go landing at Southend Airport.

The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a long range, heavy-lift strategic transport aircraft that the Royal Air Force uses for combat, peacekeeping and humanitarian missions worldwide.

The C-17 is capable of rapid, strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to operating bases. The Globemaster’s load-bearing rear ramp and digitally controlled loading systems, combined with the skills of its crews and ground handlers, enable large, complex items of equipment, including Chinook helicopters, military vehicles and other heavy items of specialist kit to be loaded.

The aircraft was in Southend for a training operation. London Southend Airport Air Traffic Control said: “The aircraft completed various instrument approaches finishing with a touch and go. This makes it officially the largest aircraft to have ever departed Southend Airport!”