Story ID: 040
Second Dassault Falcon 6X Joins Flight-test Campaign
By: Kerry Lynch
Caption: With two flying Falcon 6x twinjets, Dassault expects to add a third fully completed copy to the flight program by this summer, on pace for a 2022 TC.
Word Count: 234
Less than two months after Dassault Aviation’s first Falcon 6X widebody twinjet took to the skies, a second aircraft has joined the flight-test campaign. Flight-test aircraft S/N 2 completed its inaugural flight on April 30, flying for two hours, climbing to FL400, and reaching a cruise speed of Mach 0.85.

The initial flight-test vehicle flew for the first time on March 10 and the third, which will have a finished interior, is expected to join the program in the third quarter. That latter aircraft will test cabin systems and amenities, galley equipment, flight entertainment systems, and options such as high-speed Ka-band Internet capability. The first production aircraft, S/N 4, will be completed to a typical customer configuration and sent on a global tour.

“We are very pleased with the progress of the Falcon 6X test program and remain confident of meeting its target 2022 certification date,” said Dassault Aviation chairman and CEO Eric Trappier, adding that both 6X flying test aircraft are “performing as expected and showing a high level of systems maturity for this phase of the program.” Several Dassault test pilots have now flown the Falcon 6X, he added. “All are extremely satisfied with its performance and handling characteristics.”

Announcement of the second 6X first flight comes as Dassault is set to unveil its next Falcon model, with a virtual launch scheduled for tomorrow 11 a.m. EDT.