MARQUETTE, MI - One of the largest airplanes in the world is set to fly into an Upper Peninsula airport this week, and its arrival is causing a bit of a stir among aviation fans who want to catch a glimpse.

A Russian-built Antonov 124 Jet is scheduled to arrive at Sawyer International Airport near Marquette at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 4.

The massive cargo craft is coming in to pick up a South Korean helicopter and return it to that country. Korean Aerospace Industries and the South Korean Army have had the helicopter at Sawyer for the last several months, where their staffs were doing de-icing tests with the U.S. Army, the airport said.

The Antonov is about 230 feet long, and has an impressive 240-foot wingspan. It's typically used for carrying heavy cargo. In this case, it's being used to transport other aircraft.

"It's one of the largest cargo planes out there for civilian use," said Duane DuRay, airport manager. "It's quite a sight to see. It's like a building that flies."

The Antonov-124 Jet on a previous trip to the Upper Peninsula.

Spectators will be able to get a good view from outside the airport's fence.

The airport is located about 17 miles south of Marquette.

The behemoth's arrival may be a better bet to see than its departure, since it is scheduled to leave Sawyer at 12:30 a.m. on Thursday.

At slightly more than 12,300 feet, the airport's runway is long enough to handle the Antonov. Formerly part of Sawyer Air Force Base, the airport's runway is the longest in the state and at one time supported a fleet of B-52 take-offs and landings.

DuRay said the Antonov's arrival does not require anything special from airport workers. But they will have aircraft rescue and firefighting crews on hand for the plane's arrival and departure, as it has been requested by the company that owns it, Volga-Dnepr-Unique Air Cargo, Inc.

It's the second year that Korean Airspace Industries has come to Sawyer with aircraft. Both times, they've used the Antonov for transport.

"It is somewhat of a crowd-pleaser," DuRay said.