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.
