A350-1041

[StevoQFtraveller]

Noticed there's an airbus 350-1041 flying at present from toulouse to perth. Any ideas?

 

[encryptededdy]

Probably going to Sydney for this announcement: Project Sunrise to Be Officially Announced Tomorrow

 

[StevoQFtraveller]

Cool. Thought it must be along those lines.

 

[Quickstatus]

Anyone got info about the extra fuel tank?

 

[jb747]

Anyone got info about the extra fuel tank?

I don't think there actually is any extra tankage. They're simply activating some capacity that is build into all of them already, with some extra piping and pumps.

 

[encryptededdy]

I don't think there actually is any extra tankage. They're simply activating some capacity that is build into all of them already, with some extra piping and pumps.

Qantas claims in this video that there's an extra tank:

 

[Quickstatus]

I don't think there actually is any extra tankage

Possibly using existing space much like the 330-200 has a wingbox tank while the 330-300 does not?
Or fuel tank already there but not used/activated (sans pumps valves) for other variants due to payload/takeoff weight tradeoffs?
I heard max take off weight remains the same.

 

[jb747]

Qantas claims in this video that there's an extra tank:

Well I'm not sure that a PR video is going to say that the aircraft had empty cavities in the wings, that were turned into fuel tanks by the addition of some plumbing. It was designed with this in mind. Having some cavities that can be used, and which exist on all of the aircraft, is a lot easier than having to find space for an extra tank in the fuselage. Basically, Airbus were planning on this all along. I'll see if I can find confirmation, but I think it's actually in the wings.

 

[StevoQFtraveller]

Guess the plane is back home in toulouse. Saw that it was returning via reunion island