Leslie Massey
On September 23, 2021, a C-17 Globemaster III cargo plane flew through downtown Brisbane, Australia. The flight was a practice run for the Sunsuper Riverfire festival, an annual springtime event in Brisbane. The C-17 flyby has been a part of the festival since 2017. The plane flew at a low altitude, weaving between skyscrapers and following the path of the Brisbane River. While some were amazed by the stunt, others criticized it as unnecessary and dangerous.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 23 September 2021 |
| Location | Brisbane, Australia |
| Aircraft | C-17 Globemaster III |
| Type of Aircraft | Cargo jet |
| Organiser | Royal Australian Air Force |
| Event | Sunsuper Riverfire festival |
| Rehearsal | Yes |
| Route | Brisbane River |
| Height | 300 feet |
| Speed | 300 km/hr |
| Previous Participants | RAAF F/A-18 Hornet, EA-18G Growler fighter jets, Roulettes Acrobatics team |
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What You'll Learn
The C-17 flyby is an annual event at the Riverfire festival
The C-17 flyby is part of the theatrics of the Riverfire festival, which is known for its flypasts and aerial displays. The festival is the big finale to the three-week Brisbane Festival, a celebration of arts and culture in the city. The C-17 flyby typically occurs on the Brisbane River, with the aircraft flying at low altitudes between skyscrapers.
Videos and images of the C-17 flying between buildings in Brisbane have gone viral on social media and attracted attention from around the world. While some viewers have found the stunt impressive, others have criticised it as unnecessary and dangerous. However, the Riverfire Festival is a planned event, and the public is informed in advance about the flypast's timing and the best viewing points.
The C-17 flyby is not the only aircraft display at Riverfire. The festival has also featured RAAF F/A-18 Hornet and EA-18G Growler fighter jets, the Roulettes Acrobatics team, and Australian Army helicopters. In the past, RAAF F-111 Aardvark attack planes performed a "dump-and-burn" manoeuvre, where fuel was dumped and ignited to create a plume of flame.
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The C-17 plane flew at 300ft over Brisbane
The C-17 plane flew at 300 ft over Brisbane, Australia, in September 2021. The Royal Australian Air Force C-17 Globemaster III cargo jet performed a flyby through the city as a practice run for the annual Sunsuper Riverfire festival. The festival is the grand finale of the three-week Brisbane Festival, a celebration of arts and culture in the city.
Videos and images of the C-17's low-flying route over Brisbane circulated widely online, with many expressing surprise at the seemingly dangerous nature of the stunt. The plane was filmed weaving between skyscrapers and flying at nearly eye-level with the buildings. One video was taken from 300 ft above the flight path of the C-17, showing the aircraft manoeuvring at a low level.
The Sunsuper Riverfire festival has featured other aerial displays in the past, including RAAF F/A-18 Hornet and EA-18G Growler fighter jets and the Roulettes Acrobatics team. The C-17 flyby has been a regular feature of the festival since 2017.
The stunt was labelled by some as "very risky", with a U.S. Air Force C-17 pilot commenting that such a manoeuvre in a populated area would not be allowed in the U.S. due to safety regulations. However, local residents of Brisbane are reportedly unconcerned by the annual event, trusting in the skill and expertise of the Air Force crew.
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The stunt was deemed risky by a USAF pilot
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-17 Globemaster III cargo jet flew through downtown Brisbane, Australia, in September 2021. The flight was a practice run for the annual Sunsuper Riverfire festival, a fireworks event that is part of the Brisbane Festival. The C-17 flyby has been a feature of the festival since 2017.
> "If the crew's timing is off or if they are slow to react, the jet would collide with a building. Very risky. [...] We could never do something like that in the USAF. If we did, we would lose our wings immediately — never fly again."
In the U.S., C-17 pilots must maintain a height of 1,000 feet above structures in populated areas. Even with special approval for sporting-event flyovers, they are not permitted to fly below the tops of buildings.
However, the Riverfire festival is a planned event, and the public is informed in advance of the flypast's timing and the best viewing points.
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The Royal Australian Air Force plane flew between skyscrapers
The Royal Australian Air Force plane that flew between skyscrapers in Brisbane, Australia, was a C-17 Globemaster III. The stunt was part of a practice run for the annual Sunsuper Riverfire festival, which is the grand finale of the three-week Brisbane Festival. The festival is known for its flyovers and aerial displays, and the C-17 flyby has been a part of the festival since 2017.
Videos and images of the C-17 flying between skyscrapers in downtown Brisbane were shared widely online, with many commenters labelling the stunt as insane and risky. The low-flying plane, which was piloted by skilled RAAF aviators, weaved between buildings and flew over bridges, all while remaining just above the Brisbane River.
The C-17 Globemaster III is a heavy-duty cargo jet that 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." Despite its size, the C-17 is surprisingly manoeuvrable and able to perform fast rolls. This particular aircraft has been in the spotlight recently for its role in evacuating U.S. soldiers, support staff, and Afghan refugees from Kabul following the end of the United States' 20-year war in Afghanistan.
While the Brisbane Riverfire stunt was certainly attention-grabbing, it was also controversial. Some viewers labelled it an unnecessary and dangerous display, reminiscent of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. However, others found it impressive and cool. One U.S. Air Force C-17 pilot commented on the risk involved in the stunt, stating that if the crew's timing was off, the jet would collide with a building. In the United States, C-17 pilots are required to fly 1,000 feet above structures in populated areas and are not allowed to fly below the tops of buildings, even for sporting events.
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The C-17 plane flew over the Brisbane River
The C-17 plane, a Globemaster III cargo jet, flew over the Brisbane River as part of the annual Sunsuper Riverfire festival. The festival is the finale to the three-week Brisbane Festival, a celebration of arts and culture in the Queensland capital. The C-17's flyby has been a feature of the festival since 2017, with Royal Australian Air Force pilots navigating the aircraft through the city's skyscrapers.
Videos of the C-17's flight path, which took it within 300 feet of the river and Brisbane's tallest buildings, were shared widely online. The low-flying plane caused surprise among many viewers, with some labelling the flyby as a "very risky" and insane" stunt. However, others were more complimentary, with one person describing the plane as an "extraordinary visitor from the sky".
The Riverfire festival is well-known for its flypasts and aerial displays, with previous years featuring RAAF F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets and the Roulettes Acrobatics team. The C-17's flyby on the 23rd of September 2021 was a practice run for the main event, which took place two days later. The annual tradition is a collaboration between the people of Brisbane and the Royal Australian Air Force, showcasing the capabilities of the country's aviation technology.
The C-17 plane's flight over the Brisbane River was an impressive display of aeronautical skill and a testament to the partnership between the people of Brisbane and the Royal Australian Air Force.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, a C-17 Globemaster III cargo plane flew through downtown Brisbane, Australia, in September 2021.
It is not common for a C-17 plane to fly through downtown Brisbane. The C-17 flyby has taken place at the Riverfire festival each year since 2017.
The C-17 flyby in Brisbane is considered very risky by some U.S. Air Force pilots. They have stated that if the crew's timing is off or they are slow to react, the jet would collide with a building.
Riverfire is an annual springtime event in Brisbane, Australia. It is the big finale to the three-week Brisbane Festival, which is an arts and cultural festival. The event is famous for flypasts and aerial displays of Royal Australian Air Force aircraft.
The C-17 Globemaster III is a heavy-duty aircraft capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and cargo.
