• Question: How long did the C17 take to build?

    Asked by meganl56 to Al on 14 Mar 2012.
    • Photo: Al Bartlett

      Al Bartlett answered on 14 Mar 2012:

      Hey Meganl56,

      The C17 takes about 6 months to build and it takes about 1000 people to bulid it. Once it is built, the process doesn’t stop there – Once finished, the aircraft has to go through a series of tests to make sure that everything works correctly and that it is safe to fly – They test the engines, the fuel systems, the computers and the hydraulics to name a few. This testing process takes about another 2 months.

      All in all, it will take about 8 months from start to finish along with over 1000 engineers, and then a crew of 5 (Captain, Co-Pilot, Loadmaster (responsible for the cargo) and 2 engineers (one who specialises in mechanics and the other in electrics) to deliver it to its new home. It is an amazing piece of engineering that will cost you around £200million if you want to buy one!!!

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