The first of four Boeing C-17 Globemaster IIIs for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) lifts off from Long Beach Airport, CA, Nov. 7 2006 on its maiden flight. With a gross takeoff weight of 458,000 lbs. (207,745 kg.), the advanced airlifter flew for more than five hours before returning to the Long Beach facility where Boeing assembles and tests C-17s prior to delivery. The flight began by heading west over Santa Catalina and San Clemente Islands, performing initial functional checks over the Pacific Ocean. The C-17 then headed east and flew to Edwards Air Force Base where the crew continued to check the aircraft's systems and performed three touch-and-go landings. The flight completed 80 percent of the functional checks required prior to delivery, including shutdown and restart of engines, one at a time, and testing of emergency backup systems.