C-5 Pilot Lieutenant Colonel Semo Takes ANN Through the 'Spirit of Normandy'

On July 31st, 2009, The C-5M, the newest upgrade of the United States Air Force cargo airplane fleet, arrived at the Wittman Regional Aircraft to celebrate EAA’s AirVenture 2009. The crew, composed of members from the 512th Airlift Wing Reservists, led enthusiastic AirVenture attendees through the ‘Spirit of Normandy,’ one of the largest aircraft in the world.

On December 17th, 1969, the USAF received their first C-5 delivery; since that time, the aircraft has remained a crucial component of the USAF’s strategic airlift fleet. 

With a cargo compartment of 121 feet and maximum takeoff weight of 840,000 pounds, the C-5M Super Galaxy is capable of carrying nearly every type of combat equipment, from Humvees to the the 74 short tons (67 t) armored vehicle launched bridge (AVLB), to military destinations around the world.

The large wing surface, with approximately 222 ft of wingspan and 6,200 feet of wing area, allows the aircraft to take off at slower air speeds with very heavy weights.

Recent testing, however, revealed that years of field operations have drastically impacted the C-5 fleet’s reliability rates, with about 80 percent of its structural service life remaining. In 1998, the US government accepted a proposal by Lockheed Martin to update the C-5 Galaxy fleet with new avionics and engines.  Deemed the Reliability Enhancement and Re-Engining Program, the C-5M fleet features new General Electric CF6-80C2 engines, providing 22% more thrust than the existing C-5 engines. 

As Lt. Col. Mike Semo explains, the new engines will provide sufficient increases in reliability, maximum takeoff weight, and range. In addition, the Avionics Modernization Program includes an all-new digital glass cockpit system, providing pilots greater situational awareness, particularly for combat situations.

Recently, on September 13th, 2009, the ‘Spirit of Normandy’ crew unofficially set 41 world records in a single flight.  Though results are still pending certification by the National Aeronautic Association, the C-5M set the altitude, payload (with approximately 178,000 pounds), and time-to-climb (with an astonishing 12,000 meters in less than 28 minutes) records. 

In addition, the crew attained the highest altitude attained in horizontal flight, breaking the record previously held by the Russian Tupolev Tu-160 aircraft. Lockheed Martin is expected to finish the C-5 fleet upgrade by 2016.

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