The word travelled fast once it got out. Plane enthusiasts waited for hours on the roads bordering the Air Force Base in anticipation of the pending arrival.
The largest aircraft in the United States Airforce (USAF) was touching down at Royal New Zealand Airforce (RNZAF) Base Auckland.
The C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft had been tasked to deliver components required for a new C-130J Hercules Flight Simulator in New Zealand. A second delivery of equipment is pending in the coming weeks.
There had been a ‘Galaxy’ plane carrying the Galaxy brand to New Zealand decades ago. It’s thought that it would have been around 1984. On that basis, a Galaxy would not likely to have landed at Whenuapai between 1984 and 2025.
Back to the “now”
The Pilot First Lieutenant Sean Murray, the C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft commander
It was a long wait on a cold night and it wasn’t until around 10 pm that the aircraft touched down on the Base Auckland runway and plane spotters on the perimeter fence line got their first look at the massive plane.
Seeing the sheer size of the plane coming in to land close to Herald Island and with the navigation lights shining, the runway approach and the touchdown was a “wow” moment for the locals who had stayed in the cold to watch.
With the Super Galaxy’s wingspan of 67.89 
metres and a maximum takeoff weight of just over 381 tonnes, the plane was massive. Touch down was smooth. It was going to be a massive task to fully unload the plane. A few days later there was to be a queue of fuel tankers lined up for the job.
New planes and new technology
Just over a year ago (September 2024) the New Zealand Air Force welcomed the first of five new C-130J Hercules to Whenuapai to replace the old C-130, which had been the workhorses of the Royal New Zealand Air Force for 60 years.
With the new Hercules fleet now in place, the time was right to install a new simulator which has the capacity to train air and ground crews.
Air Component Commander, Air Commodore Andy Scott said the simulator is a critical tool for the provision of technology, including pilot training, loadmaster systems training and engine running training, as well as procedural and mission systems training. “These new developments will take NZDF training to the next level,” he said.
It also means that in the near future, RNZAF crews will not need to travel to the US for crew training on US based simulators, as this training will soon be available in New Zealand. As a result, sending flight crews back and forth between New Zealand the US will cease.
RNZAF Base Auckland’s Commander Group Captain Brett Clayton, says the opportunities to use the C-5M aircraft to deliver a key piece of capability for New Zealand, should not be underestimated.
Clayton also acknowledges the strength of the relationship between the Royal New Zealand Airforce and the United States Airforce and their respective governments.
Full motion simulator to train air and ground crews
An integrated project team, led by the Ministry of Defence, has been working with the US Air Force, Canadian technology company CAE USA and Lockheed Martin to deliver the simulator to the New Zealand Defence Force.
The simulator will train air and ground crews operating the new planes and provide a safe and secure space for pilot training.
He said it’s a really exciting time for the New Zealand Defence Force. The flight simulator is a critical tool that will provide pilot training, loadmaster systems training and engine running training.
