The main task of this work was to investigate the influence of homogenisation and solution heat treatment on material properties (fracture toughness and yield strength) of aircraft-plates made of the aluminium alloy AW-7075-T7351. New heat treatments, which result in an improvement of the fracture toughness should be recommended. Thereby, the economic aspect of time and cost saving should be considered. Due to the low density in connection with a high specific strength, good corrosion- and fracture toughness properties, the wrought alloy 7075 (AlZnMgCu) represents an important material grade for the aircraft industry. To meet the requirements of this industry, a controlled production-process and stable mechanical properties of the semi-finished products are necessary. Within this work a new two-staged homogenisation treatment was developed on the basis of thermodynamic simulation, DSC-analyses and on technical expertise of the experimental series, which were made on laboratory scale. The new homogenisation enables the best possible dissolving of low melting phases (e.g. S-phase) in the existing alloy-system. Therefore, the process range of the solution heat treatment could be changed to higher temperatures and a decreased annealing time. The not dissolved, soluble phases affect a negative influence on material properties (particularly on the fracture toughness) because they form coarse precipitates. By the optimised heat treatments (homogenisation and solution heat treatment) a reduction of annealing time and moreover an improved fracture toughness could be achieved. Furthermore, a new alloy of the type AW-7075 with a 15 % lower Cu-content in comparison to the existing test-charge was developed. Due to the resulting Cu-content a reduction of low melting phases, which are formed during the casting process, was accomplished. Hence, a faster dissolving of the soluble intermetallic phases during homogenisation could be achieved. The analyses of the material properties show an increase of fracture toughness of 10 % of the new alloy in combination with optimised heat treatments.