Falcon 6X collects its paperwork
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It used to be said that an aircraft was only ready to be certificated to fly when the paperwork equalled the weight of the aircraft. In today’s digital world this is no longer true. Now the number of kilobytes has to be a large multiple of the aircraft’s kilograms.
Last week the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued type certificates for Dassault’s Falcon 6X. Customer deliveries will start soon.
Certification has become a lot harder since Dassault announced the aircraft in 2017. Regulators are more stringent and OEMs are finding the process more difficult to forecast than before. (The fact that experienced aircraft designers and manufacturers are finding certification taking longer should be a real warning sign for new aircraft entrants like eVTOL companies and their investors.)
The Falcon 6X certifications follow more than two years of testing including 1,500 hours of flying.
“We would like to recognise the EASA and FAA certification teams for their commitment in this demanding process and our customers for their confidence. The Falcon 6X is the first brand new business jet to comply with the latest regulations, which will enhance the safety and security of all new aircraft,” said Eric Trappier, chairman and CEO, Dassault Aviation.
Gulfstream has been through a similar flight test and certification programme with the G700. The G700 is set to complete its FAA Type Inspection Authorization in September and get full certification soon after.
With its 5,500nm/10,200km range the Falcon 6X can fly from London to Hong Kong for dim sum or Los Angeles to Geneva for fondue. While sitting in a big 78inch/1.98m height and 102in/2.58m width cabin. “I really like the Falcon 6X; especially the cabin space and design,” says Alan Nee, founder of broker Premier Aviation and a Falcon pilot. “The quoted fuel efficiency numbers are also very strong.” The aircraft is very quiet and has low cabin pressure. It also has a cool skylight above the kitchen.
New aircraft typically see a boost in sales when they are first ordered and then when the first deliveries are made. The Falcon 6X is entering service into a much stronger market than when it was announced in 2017.
“Now that it is certificated with deliveries starting soon, we expect to see a lot more interest in the Falcon 6X,” says Lee Rohde, president and CEO, Essex Aviation.
Dassault customers are extremely loyal and you can expect a number of Falcon 900 customers to upgrade to the 6X. “I hope they produce more to penetrate the broader market,” says Nee.
Dassault engineers celebrated the Falcon 6X achievements last weekend, but on Monday they were back working on the Falcon 10X.
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