Maiden flight for Falcon 5X

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The Falcon 5X flew for the first time on July 5.

The Dassault Falcon 5X has made its first flight using a preliminary version of Safran Silvercrest engines.

The aircraft took off on July 5 from Dassault’s Bordeaux-Mérignac final assembly facility and flew for two hours.

Dassault announced the Falcon 5X in October 2014. It originally hoped to start test flights in 2015 and deliver the aircraft to to customers in 2017. But the project was delayed by four years because of issues with new Silvercrest engines. It now hopes to deliver the aircraft to customers in 2020.

“We are committed to limiting the consequences of the four year engine development delay as much as possible and the short preliminary flight test campaign is part of this effort,” said Eric Trappier, Dassault Aviation chairman and CEO. “We will closely monitor the validation tests on the modified Silvercrest, which are scheduled by Safran in the few coming months, as their results will be critical for meeting the 5X entry into service in 2020.“

Dassault hopes to start formal flight testing in 2018 when Safran delivers certifiable engines. It says that flights before then will help streamline development.

“Our customers are anxious to fly our new wide body Falcon. Combined with the 5X’s new generation digital flight controls, the new ultra efficient wing will make it possible to blend the spaciousness and comfort of large cabin jets with the maneuverability, efficiency and airport capability of much smaller aircraft, establishing a new benchmark for the long range business jet market,” said Trappier.

Philippe Deleume and Philippe Rebourg were the test pilots.

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