On board are just four test pilots and five engineers, all tasked with collecting critical data as the aircraft made its first-ever landing on Australian soil.<\/p>\n
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The historic ultra-long-haul flight has just touched down in Melbourne. Credit: 7NEWS<\/p>\n
Qantas Chief Technical Pilot Alex Passerini told Sunrise seeing the aircraft arrive was a major milestone after years of planning.<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing beats seeing a physical aeroplane after alot of talk and excitement… smelling the jetfuel, it\u2019s just palabale,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
While it looks similar to other Qantas aircraft, the Airbus A350 has undergone several key modifications, including the installation of an additional 20,000-litre fuel tank designed to support the airline\u2019s planned non-stop flights between Australia and Europe.<\/p>\n
Passerini said the current flight is focused on validating those changes before the airline officially takes delivery of the aircraft.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the Airbus engineers need to do is check those changes are fit for purpose so when the aeroplane does end up departing they\u2019ve got a 23-hour flight to check those systems for the projected Sunrise flight time, plus an additional safety margin,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He said the testing forms part of the standard certification process required before the aircraft can enter service.<\/p>\n
While the aircraft itself is being put through its paces, there is also a strong focus on the people who will operate the world\u2019s longest commercial flights.<\/p>\n
Play Video<\/p>\n
Qantas’ Project Sunrise test flight is completing a historic 17,000-kilometre journey from France to Australia, marking the first time this specially modified Airbus A350 will land on Australian soil.<\/p>\n
Qantas’ Project Sunrise test flight is completing a historic 17,000-kilometre journey from France to Australia, marking the first time this specially modified Airbus A350 will land on Australian soil.<\/p>\n
Managing fatigue for pilots and cabin crew has been central to the aircraft\u2019s design, with dedicated crew rest areas, data-driven fatigue management systems and planned recovery periods before and after flights all forming part of the operation.<\/p>\n
Passengers are also expected to benefit from an improved onboard environment, with the aircraft featuring increased cabin humidity, higher oxygen levels and enhanced air filtration to help reduce the physical impacts of spending almost an entire day in the air.<\/p>\n
The specially modified Airbus A350 became the world\u2019s most-tracked aircraft on Friday morning as aviation enthusiasts followed its historic journey.<\/p>\n
If Project Sunrise proceeds as planned, the aircraft will eventually operate non-stop flights lasting up to 23 hours, connecting Australia directly with destinations in Europe and North America.<\/p>\n