[BwanaNdege]

Empty operating weights run from 150 to 185 tons.

Max Gross Takeoff Weights run from 270 to 387 tons.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_777

Heavy bird!

BTW, we had a C-5 visit MCAS New River, NC. I assume that it was basically empty, but our longest runway is 5,114ft. I was told the C-5 got off in a little over 3,000 ft.

The C-17 can operate from dirt runways, but of course has much better landing gear. It’s Max GTOW is 292 tons.

[pansgold]

The C5A fully loaded to it's max takeoff weight of 420 tons (840.000 pounds) needs 7,000 feet and a crack proof 7 feet of reinforced concrete just to be safe.

It can use shorter and thinner runways if it's hauling potato chips :-)