Qantas Project Sunrise goes ahead, 12 new A350-1000s ordered

[RooFlyer]

So I guess the weight has been stripped out?

Thought it might have been a good use of the aircraft to have actually done MEL (or SYD) - JFK (or, say, BOS) to 'test flight' that route under actual weight etc conditions.

 

[Quickstatus]

So I guess the weight has been stripped out?

Taken water out of the passenger load simulators?

Flying West under simulated loads would have been better. But I think they already have enough data for that. All they need is fuel burn per hour. Flying west generally means ground speed is less and QF would have all the data for that

 

[SYD]

Taken water out of the passenger load simulators?

That wouldn’t be particularly representative if all the load was removed?

If you’re designing for routine 22 hr flights, how much margin would you design in and need to test for?

Anyway, looks like it will be 24 hrs +/-.

 

[moa999]

Why? To set a record.
I suspect this return trip will be one of a number of ultra long haul test flights. We area still a long way from first delivery to Qantas.

 

[mjt57]

Dunno if anyone's posted this, apologies if so, I didn't find it.

From a Herald-Sun article:
"Test pilot Chetan Takalkar, who joined Airbus after a long career with the Royal Australian Air Force, said the ultra long flights currently being operated were designed to test the fuel system.

“That really is the key to extending the range of the standard A350, and we take a very detailed look at what’s happening with that (additional) rear centre fuel tank,” said Captain Takalkar."


Airbus test pilot Chetan Takalkar checks out the additional fuel tank on the A350-1000ULR after arriving in Melbourne from Toulouse. Picture: Robyn Ironside

 

[Quickstatus]

That wouldn’t be particularly representative if all the load was removed?

But if they are testing the additional fuel tank and trying to break the record, perhaps simulated loads are not all that important

 

[pauldab]

But if they are testing the additional fuel tank and trying to break the record, perhaps simulated loads are not all that import

Probably still needed for overall flight performance reasons.

sydsquad did mention as it was taking off last night it appeared to be loaded down seeing it was following a shallow climb profile

 

[transpactraveller]

Presumably all fuel tanks would have been full for this flight!

 

[RooFlyer]

FR24 currently predicting arrival minutes short of 24 hrs. I'm sure they'll need to do a celebratory loop at TLS, if necessary.

,

Flight Aware predicting just over 22 hrs.

 

[SYD]

Over 30k peeps currently tracking the flight.

Also needs to turn right soon for TLS - unless they’re doing a LHR flyover!

 

[transpactraveller]

Looks like they are indeed heading towards London now

Seems they will fly over LHR about 22 hours after the aircraft flew directly over SYD.

 

[elanshin]

FR24 suggesting it needs another 1.5h which would bring it over 24h total.

 

[transpactraveller]

they’re doing a LHR flyover!

 

[RooFlyer]

unless they’re doing a LHR flyover!

Well, that's just showing off!! <TLS/LHR> - MEL both ways! 1 stop circumnavigation of the earth via ~Great Circle.

Non-stop around the world, not refuelled belongs to Voyager, 1986:

 

[LondonAussie]

Unfortunately it’s a cloudy morning here in London so I’m not sure they would have seen much!

I hadn’t heard they were planning this, would have been cool to know in advance and look up if the skies were clearer.

 

[SYD]

Well, that's just showing off!! <TLS/LHR> - MEL both ways! 1 stop circumnavigation of the earth via ~Great Circle.

They also overflew SYD. Probably didn’t quite have the legs to pass over JFK?

 

[Quickstatus]

Chetan Takalkar, who joined Airbus after a long career with the Royal Australian Air Force

Some history (from Fakebook)
Dux of No23 Cadet under officer course in 1992 at the Officer Training School at East Sale
Then was pat of 33SQN - refuelling squadron, KC30 (A330-MRTT) where he was XO and A330 check captain

RAAF for 27 years
China Southern 4 years
Back to RAAF 6 years No 86 wing XO- management role
Airbus Test pilot From 2022

......

Over 30k peeps currently tracking the flight.

Currently the No #1 tracked flight in FR24. What % viewers from AFF?



.....

Could they have done a touch and go at LHR? Would that have made them ineligible for the record?

 

[markis10]

Some history (from Fakebook)
Dux of No23 Cadet under officer course in 1992 at the Officer Training School at East Sale
Then was pat of 33SQN - refuelling squadron, KC30 (A330-MRTT) where he was XO and A330 check captain

RAAF for 27 years
China Southern 4 years
Back to RAAF 6 years No 86 wing XO- management role
Airbus Test pilot From 2022

CUO courses are cadets, not RAAF. He did a bit of time in P3’s which would be solid grounding for his current mission, hopefully he remembers there is no need to shut down the outer engines in cruise.
Deputy Director
Full-time
Oct 2015 - Mar 2016 · 6 mos
C-27J Transition Team
Co-ordinate wing level support and strategic management of C-27J introduction:
- Liaise with operating unit, acquisition organisation, USG, contractor(s), and senior defence leadership re: operational airworthiness issues, safety management systems, training support, certification, and residual acquisition/capability phasing.… more
Executive Officer
Oct 2011 - Oct 2015 · 4 yrs 1 mo
No 33 Squadron
Responsibilities:
- Perform flying duties as an A330 Check Captain and Test Pilot
- Execute global tasking (transport, air refuelling, flight test & VIP) with fleet of five A330
- Manage introduction to service activities (scheduling, training, and development)
- Operational airworthiness and safety management system compliance
- Representative for ongoing A330 acquisition, upgrades and air refuelling capabilities
- Commander of inaugural A330-MRTT operational deployment… more
A330-MRTT (KC-30A) Project Test Pilot
Oct 2005 - Oct 2011 · 6 yrs 1 mo
Madrid, Spain
Lead-customer test pilot embedded within Airbus from project initiation to delivery
- Participated in detailed design and all ground and flight test with emphasis on coughpit human factors, performance and handling qualities assessments of modified systems
- Manager of deployed flight test team responsible for risk assessment and acceptance, airworthiness compliance management, authorisation and test approval
- Certification test pilot (DER) for INTA (Spanish MAA)… more
Test Pilot
Jan 2003 - Oct 2005 · 2 yrs 10 mos
Ground and flight test of new capabilities and modified aviation systems
Empire Test Pilots' School
Jan 2002 - Dec 2002 · 1 yr
MOD Boscombe Down, UK
Test Pilot Training (No 61 FW Course) - Long Course Graduate
P-3C Pilot
Jun 1998 - Dec 2001 · 3 yrs 7 mos
No 11 Squadron
Maritime Patrol Operations - Maritime Captain - PPC

 

[Quickstatus]

CUO courses are cadets, not RAAF

I know, I didnt say he was at the time. He joined the RAAF after that in 1993
Interesting career.
I wonder, do many pilots stay with the RAAF their entire careers?

 

[moa999]

Finally reaches France after 23 1/4 hours. Looks like it's on track to eclipse 24 hrs before landing.