These guys Landed about 6 miles too short on a 3,500 ft runway. Cleared for the visual 22 I guess. These airports' runways are in line with each other. One is 11,480' and the other is not.
http://www.fidosysop.org/5126/07/air-force-c17-globemaster-cargo-plane-lands-at-wrong-airport/

The article says there was no damage to the airplane or the airport, it didn't say anything about damage to someone's career. How do you not notice the difference between 3,500 feet and 11,000 feet long?

If you scroll to the bottom of the story there is a video of the landing that someone caught on their cell phone.

Here is a video of them flying it out of there

Dale Moul wrote:The article says there was no damage to the airplane or the airport, it didn't say anything about damage to someone's career. How do you not notice the difference between 3,500 feet and 11,000 feet long?

I bet he did it because he could. The pilot was bored and looked for a challenge. Just like the rest of us.

Thankfully the C-17 does this with no problems! We land on 3500ft runways all the time for training! Because the C-17 is Bad Ass!

Ha, a friend of mine once landed his Bonanza at a military field nearby and similarly aligned to a civilian airport. The CO gave him a real ration of shit, implying mere mortals shouldn't be allowed to fly. Good to see the shoe on the other foot!

There are rental fleets in Central Florida that would prohibit their planes from landing there because its "too short". Laughable, but true.

I am guessing the C-17 and the pilot's military career both 'landed short' at the same time.....


Ooops, I guess that's not really funny....
lc

Littlecub wrote:I am guessing the C-17 and the pilot's military career both 'landed short' at the same time.....


Ooops, I guess that's not really funny....
lc

Ya I wonder if the same pilot took off is the same one that landed

There's no doubt the guy can park it on a small strip. I'd fly with him.

Different crew took off.

Littlecub wrote:I am guessing the C-17 and the pilot's military career both 'landed short' at the same time.....


Ooops, I guess that's not really funny....
lc

I'm just wondering what the Air Force equivalent of "desk job at Great Lakes command" Poor schmucks. Probably took the first officer and flight engineer with him.

I really can't figure this one out. The mission computer gives the airport's location on the moving map, gives a predictive flight path, a distance to the airfield, etc.... Unless he was already planning a full flap, I am wondering how he got stopped so quick without smoking the brakes. I'm glad i just left the C-17 community, there are going to be plenty of FCIFs over this one.

Are you guys sure this was a mistake? I think the Air Force may be flexing their muscles to see just how much GA will take before we react. I was headed back into Anchorage on Tuesday this week with my wife at 2300 and observed two C17s (1 in 1 mile trail formation with the other) at my altitude (1000 ft) cruising around the Mat Su Valley. I hailed them on CTAF and got no response. I don't mind sharing my space with Cubs and others in my class but I don't need heavies in the neighborhood at low altitude making two to three times my speed. We already had one incident where they spooked a senior flight instructor (and student pilot) enough that the flight instructor complained but it appears to have been swept under the rug. I can't see that it improves their proficiency. I'm worried that they will eventually hurt one of us and when they argue that their mission trumps ours, we will lose more priveleges.

BeeMan wrote:Are you guys sure this was a mistake? I think the Air Force may be flexing their muscles to see just how much GA will take before we react. I was headed back into Anchorage on Tuesday this week with my wife at 2300 and observed two C17s (1 in 1 mile trail formation with the other) at my altitude (1000 ft) cruising around the Mat Su Valley. I hailed them on CTAF and got no response. I don't mind sharing my space with Cubs and others in my class but I don't need heavies in the neighborhood at low altitude making two to three times my speed. We already had one incident where they spooked a senior flight instructor (and student pilot) enough that the flight instructor complained but it appears to have been swept under the rug. I can't see that it improves their proficiency. I'm worried that they will eventually hurt one of us and when they argue that their mission trumps ours, we will lose more priveleges.

Woosa...Woosa! We have TCAS so as long as your squaking at least VFR we'll probably see you before you see us. The low levels are great training especially prior to deployments where you do airdrop in small valleys. The in trail was an airdrop line doing something that is very similar to what happens in the real world environment. So please! don't let the panties get too bunched up and know that the training does help! It's not just "your" airspace its everyones. Plus the routes are published so you know what area's to be vigilant in! I know I fly through MOA's/VR routes/IR routes all the time. I'm not going to change my plans for them but it doesn't mean I can't watch out a little more!

We had a crew on the Dornier Jet at one of my old airlines do the same thing in Columbia, SC. At the time, it had the most current glass cockpit with all the goodies for situational awareness. Green line goes all the way to the runway on the PFD. One night on final they mistook the downtown airport for CAE. Oops!

piperpainter wrote:

BeeMan wrote:Are you guys sure this was a mistake? I think the Air Force may be flexing their muscles to see just how much GA will take before we react. I was headed back into Anchorage on Tuesday this week with my wife at 2300 and observed two C17s (1 in 1 mile trail formation with the other) at my altitude (1000 ft) cruising around the Mat Su Valley. I hailed them on CTAF and got no response. I don't mind sharing my space with Cubs and others in my class but I don't need heavies in the neighborhood at low altitude making two to three times my speed. We already had one incident where they spooked a senior flight instructor (and student pilot) enough that the flight instructor complained but it appears to have been swept under the rug. I can't see that it improves their proficiency. I'm worried that they will eventually hurt one of us and when they argue that their mission trumps ours, we will lose more priveleges.

Woosa...Woosa! We have TCAS so as long as your squaking at least VFR we'll probably see you before you see us. The low levels are great training especially prior to deployments where you do airdrop in small valleys. The in trail was an airdrop line doing something that is very similar to what happens in the real world environment. So please! don't let the panties get too bunched up and know that the training does help! It's not just "your" airspace its everyones. Plus the routes are published so you know what area's to be vigilant in! I know I fly through MOA's/VR routes/IR routes all the time. I'm not going to change my plans for them but it doesn't mean I can't watch out a little more!

Seeing as most C-17 crews can't hit the broadside of a barn on an airdrop, they need all the proficiency training they can get!

Seriously though, I'm with Piper on this one, that training is essential to their mission and our freedom.

piperpainter wrote:Different crew took off.

1st crew was busy doing paperwork.

piperpainter wrote:

BeeMan wrote:Are you guys sure this was a mistake? I think the Air Force may be flexing their muscles to see just how much GA will take before we react. I was headed back into Anchorage on Tuesday this week with my wife at 2300 and observed two C17s (1 in 1 mile trail formation with the other) at my altitude (1000 ft) cruising around the Mat Su Valley. I hailed them on CTAF and got no response. I don't mind sharing my space with Cubs and others in my class but I don't need heavies in the neighborhood at low altitude making two to three times my speed. We already had one incident where they spooked a senior flight instructor (and student pilot) enough that the flight instructor complained but it appears to have been swept under the rug. I can't see that it improves their proficiency. I'm worried that they will eventually hurt one of us and when they argue that their mission trumps ours, we will lose more priveleges.

Woosa...Woosa! We have TCAS so as long as your squaking at least VFR we'll probably see you before you see us. The low levels are great training especially prior to deployments where you do airdrop in small valleys. The in trail was an airdrop line doing something that is very similar to what happens in the real world environment. So please! don't let the panties get too bunched up and know that the training does help! It's not just "your" airspace its everyones. Plus the routes are published so you know what area's to be vigilant in! I know I fly through MOA's/VR routes/IR routes all the time. I'm not going to change my plans for them but it doesn't mean I can't watch out a little more!

Damned straight!! Our Military's have just as much right, if not more to "our" airspace. They're training and proficiency is vital to our security and we're not to judge how that training is carried out and where.. As Pilots of every type of craft there should be no us and them BS. Or we are just as bad as the anybody else that criticizes others endeavors. If I saw a military aircraft that size landing at our local airport. I consider it a privilege to witness it. As a part of GA, the reaction I take on that event is generally positive!

exodus wrote:Damned straight!! Our Military's have just as much right, if not more to "our" airspace. They're training and proficiency is vital to our security and we're not to judge how that training is carried out and where.. As Pilots of every type of craft there should be no us and them BS. Or we are just as bad as the anybody else that criticizes others endeavors. If I saw a military aircraft that size landing at our local airport. I consider it a privilege to witness it. As a part of GA, the reaction I take on that event is generally positive!

No, they don't have "more" right to our airspace. And, as the folks who PAY for their training, we damn well have every right to speak out about how that training is carried out. Back in the 80s, the Air Force was using GA aircraft operating in the Caribbean to practice intercepts. One got a bit too close and sliced a Barron in half with his wing, killing an entire family.

Training is an important part of mission readiness, but these guys already have lots of airspace that's off limits to us to train in.

Best,
O-2