Dassault’s Falcon 6X completes first flight
Dassault’s Falcon 6X has successfully completed its first flight opening the test campaign for certification.
Two test pilots took off from Dassault Aviation’s Mérignac plant near Bordeaux and flew for two-and-a-half hours according to the test plan. The 6X reached 40,000ft and reached a speed of Mach 0.8 before returning to its base.
“We dedicate today’s achievement to Olivier Dassault, who died tragically on Sunday,” said CEO and chairman Eric Trappier. “Olivier was a Falcon pilot who perfectly embodied his family’s boundless passion for aviation.”
Olivier Dassault, a French billionaire, MP and grandson of Marcel Dassault – founder of Dassault Aviation – died in a helicopter crash in Normandy, France on March 7th. His father, Serge Dassault was the former Dassault chairman and CEO.
“The 6X flew exactly as predicted by our models. From a pilot’s perspective, it flies like a Falcon, which is to say with perfect precise handling in all phases of flight,” said pilot Bruno Ferry.
The aircraft’s next flight will combine test activities with a hop to Istres, near Marseilles, where the Dassault flight test center is located. Two Falcon 6X models are scheduled to take to the air in the coming months.