747 of Qantas is the Rolls-Royce test pilotThe Australian airline, is pushing ahead with the outplacement of the fleet of their Boeing 747-400. One of the Jumbo Jets launches a second career as a flying test station for engines. Once again, the VH-OJU was allowed to make the big hop across the Pacific. After almost 20 years in the service of Qantas, the Australian airline sent a Boeing 747-400 last Sunday (13. October) for their final passenger flight from Sydney to Los Angeles, before it was decommissioned. By the end of 2020, the Airline would like to get rid of their entire Boeing 747 fleet – yet it has six Boeing 747-400S. For the VH-OJU the farewell for Qantas, does not mean an end to the scrap yard. The plane will be transferred into the possession of the engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce. This will use the Boeing 747-400 in the future as a flying test bed for its engines. |