Qantas’ Project Sunrise Airbus A350-1000ULR has completed its maiden test flight, marking a significant milestone ahead of the launch of commercial flights that will connect Australia’s east coast to London and New York, non-stop, for the first time ever.
Operated by two Airbus Flight Test Pilots, three Flight Test Engineers and one Ground Test Engineer, Qantas’ ultra long range A350 took off for the first time from Toulouse yesterday afternoon local time and flew for three hours 43 minutes over France and the French Atlantic Coast.
The flight was focused on testing the aircraft’s primary systems including the jet’s specialised fuel system, which includes an additional 20,000 litre rear centre fuel tank that will enable commercial flights of up to 22 hours non-stop.
The successful first flight marks the beginning of a two-month testing campaign, with the aircraft to complete around 80 hours of flight testing and undergo extensive on-ground checks and certification of new and redesigned components that will enable the A350 to fly ultra long-haul sectors.
This includes certifying a new galley air cooling system which features lighter and more efficient refrigeration units, which will be rolled out across all future Airbus A350 aircraft.
Alongside the extensive testing and certification campaign, a second Project Sunrise aircraft is progressing through Airbus’ final assembly line, having its four-class interior fitted and being painted in Qantas livery. This aircraft will be delivered to Qantas in April next year.
Qantas will announce the first Project Sunrise route and timing of its inaugural commercial services later this month.
