Dassault set to roll out first Falcon 8X on 17 December
Dassault will roll out the first Falcon 8X at a special ceremony in Bordeaux on 17 December.
The roll-out comes six months after Dassault first announced the Falcon 8X at the 2014 EBACE show in Geneva, Switzerland.
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The Falcon 8X is a one meter stretched version of the Falcon 7X with increased maximum range.
Strengthened wings allow the aircraft to take on a higher fuel load, resulting in the Falcon 8X having maximum range of 6,450 nm, 500 nm further than the Falcon 7X.
Dassault is planning to use three aircraft for the certification push, with two aircraft dedicated to flight testing, and a third used for cabin testing and preparedness for the types entry into service.
Overall, Dassault is expecting the certification effort to last 14 months, during which time the French airframer says the Falcon 8X will perform 200 flight cycles and 550 flight hours.
The first flight of the Falcon 8X is due to take place during the second quarter of 2015, with certification and first deliveries to follow in mid-2016.