One of the more unusual, if slower, items in the flying display here this year is the performance, after landing, of the Boeing C-17. The big and bulky four-engined military heavy lifter slows, pauses-and then backs up in reverse along the runway in the direction from which it has just come. It taxies, thus, for a distance of several hundred yards before moving forwards again, in the normal manner, to clear the runway by turning right on to a taxiway.

Detailed examination from a distance has failed to disclose whether the C17 captain has a rear-view mirror or a crewman relaying instructions from the back-"Left hand down a bit, Skipper, left...left...hold it there"--but the backward taxi run is commendably straight if clearly cautiously done.

By Bob Rodwell