A HUGE military plane was spotted flying over homes in Prestatyn. 

The A400M Atlas aircraft from RAF Brize Norton was conducting routine, essential military flying training within the area last Monday (April 8). It was seen flying over Prestatyn just after 11.20am.

Chris Abbott captured the plane on camera. 

North Wales Pioneer: Royal Air Force A400M Atlas flying over PrestatynRoyal Air Force A400M Atlas flying over Prestatyn (Image: Chris Abbott)
A spokesperson from RAF Brize Norton said: "The A400M Atlas aircraft from RAF Brize Norton was conducting routine, essential military flying training within the area. Our aircraft will regularly conduct flying training within the local area here at RAF Brize Norton and across the United Kingdom. 

"The aircraft are based here at RAF Brize Norton, West Oxfordshire, which is home to the RAF’s Strategic and Tactical Air Transport (AT) and Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) forces.

North Wales Pioneer: Royal Air Force A400M Atlas flying over PrestatynRoyal Air Force A400M Atlas flying over Prestatyn (Image: Chris Abbott)
"Our mixed fleet of aircraft provides rapid global mobility in support of UK overseas operations and exercises, as well as AAR support for fast jet aircraft both on operations and in support of UK Defence."

Atlas (Atlas C.1 A400M), which has a total wingspan of 42.4 metres, has the ability to carry a 37-tonne payload over 2,000nm to established and remote civilian and military airfields, and short unprepared or semi-prepared strips. Capable of operating at altitudes up to 40,000ft, Atlas also offers impressive low-level capability.  

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The plane will accommodate as many as 116 fully-equipped troops; vehicles; helicopters, including a Chinook; mixed loads, including nine aircraft pallets and 54 passengers, or combinations of vehicles, pallets and personnel, up to a payload of 37 tonnes.

It entered operational service with the Royal Air Force in 2014.

The A400M already has seen operational use with the French and Turkish Air Forces in Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, African Sahel Region, Mali and in the Middle East to support the air operations over Iraq and Syria.