A specialised aircraft primarily used to airdrop cargo and paratroops landed at Bundaberg Airport today as part of a routine training mission.
The Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan has a wingspan of 28.7 metres.
It can reach maximum speeds of 670 km/h.
Bundaberg Airport Manager Greg Barrington said the plane had been using the region as a training spot twice a month.
“The C-27J Spartan usually practices a training exercise called a Non Directional Beacon (NDB) instrument approach to the runway as well as some touch and go landings,” Greg said.
“The training practice is one type of approach that uses the NDB that Airservices Australia runs at the airport here.
“Instrument approaches are just a procedure used by pilots to land on a runway when they can’t see it until the last minute.”
C-27J Spartan part of 10-plane fleet
According to the RAAF, the first Spartan arrived in Australia in 2015.
The fleet of 10 Spartans, operated by No. 35 Squadron, are based in RAAF Base Amberley.
Each aircraft can take 34 passengers, 21 stretcher patients and 5000 kg of cargo.
RAAF states the aircraft’s capabilities bridge the gap between Army helicopters, such as the CH-47F Chinook, and larger Air Force aircraft, such as the C-130J Hercules and C-17A Globemaster III.
The C-27J Spartan provides airlift of people, equipment and supplies and can operate from unsurfaced airstrips and support humanitarian missions in remote locations.
To find out more about the C-27J Spartan click here.
The RAAF aircraft landed at Bundaberg Airport. 
The C-27J Spartan makes routine stops in the region for training.
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