Is a c-17 only a military jet?

Question

I saw a really big jet flying very low over my school i thought it was weird because he wouldnt be landing or anything because we dont have a airport big enough for it and i saw in the paper to nexy day it was a C-17 that was sightseeing, i thought that was weird because who would go sightseeing with a jet that big but anyway i thought the c-17 was only a military aircraft is it

Answer 1

it is only a military aircraft. they were probably scouting the terrain or something along those lines, not just "sightseeing"

Answer 2

Thus far, only the USAF, Canada and England fly the C-17.

As far as your small airports, how small? A C-17 doesn't need much runway. (3000 feet).

Where are you located? Any Air Force bases near by? Maybe it was a "shake down/familiarization" flight.

Answer 3

currently it is amilitary jet but b oeing is thinking to make it a freighter

Answer 4

They were most likely shooting approaches to your airport, for proficiency.  You may also have a jump zone nearby and the aircraft was departing the zone, or checking the wind and other conditions for a possible drop.

Answer 5

The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is an American strategic airlifter manufactured by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, and operated by the United States Air Force, British Royal Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force, and the Canadian Forces Air Command. NATO also has plans to acquire the airlifter.

The C-17 Globemaster III is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area. It is also capable of performing tactical airlift, medical evacuation and airdrop missions. The C-17 takes its name from two previous heavy lifter aircraft, the C-74 Globemaster and the C-124 Globemaster II.

Answer 6

The C-17 is an aircraft designed for the military to carry cargo and personnel.  It may have seemed at low altitude because of its size.  If there is no airport within 25 mi of your town, then I don't why it seemed to be so low.  As far as "sightseeing", that is a term reporters use when they don't know the reason for the low altitude.  A military pilot wouldn't risk his aircraft and crew for such a reason.  Under the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice), the aircraft commander  would be subject to court martial for doing such a thing.  Also, under FAA Rules, an aircraft is not to fly lower than 1000 feet above the tallest structure in the area.  Military pilots follow both FAA and Military Flight Rules.

Answer 7

it might be air force. but it is military

Answer 8

The C-17 is only a military jet.

Answer 9

Two reasons i can think of for sight seeing in a C-17. 1. High ranking officials joy riding(it happens ALL THE TIME at my base). 2. Surveying terrain for an Airshow.