Dassault Aviation is displaying a full-scale cabin mockup of the new Falcon 10X at NBAA-BACE this week in Las Vegas. After the show, the mockup will remain in the US for individual customer tours.
Dassault Aviation chairman and CEO, Éric Trappier, said: “Because of its sheer size and imaginative layout, you’ll move about this cabin differently, much more easily, than in any competing business jet. The 10X will provide the ultimate in privacy and in collaborative workspace – indeed, it will be able to provide both at the same time.”
The 10X cabin is 6 ft , 8 in (2.03 m) tall and 9 ftt, 1 inc (2.77 m) wide, a larger cross section than some regional jets.
“The 10X will be the new benchmark in business aviation,” added Trappier. “We’re eager to see industry reaction at NBAA-BACE, we anticipate a very positive response.”
Meanwhile, the French OEM’s 6X certification programme remains on track with three aircraft now test flying. The first flight of the Falcon 6X was on March 10th of this year.
Pratt & Whitney Canada is in the final stages of the certification process for the 6X’s PW812D engine. Final reviews are also currently underway with Transport Canada and certification is expected to arrive soon.
Trappier said: “Once our intensive test and demonstration campaign is complete, customers will be assured of taking delivery of a mature aircraft.”
Each test aircraft is currently flying two to three times a week, several hours per flight. Every aspect of flight testing, from system development, aircraft performance and envelope expansion, is proceeding on track, reports Dassault.
Philippe Duchateau, Dassault’s chief test pilot said: “The flying qualities of the 6X are truly extraordinary, even by our exacting Dassault standards. We are extremely satisfied with the way the aircraft is performing during the test campaign.”
Dassault’s product support organisation is preparing for the 6X’s entry into service. Spares are on order for delivery to locations around the world to ensure support for flight departments. The 6X is scheduled to enter service by the end of 2022.
Elsewhere, Dassault is consolidating its global support network, the firm can now complete major inspections at a range of new locations and dispatch engineer teams to more remote places.
Trappier said: “In 2019, we acquired TAG Maintenance Services [TMS], ExecuJet MRO Services and RUAG’s MRO operations in Switzerland to build up our factory service capacity and are now investing heavily in these premier service networks to foster sustained organic growth.”
Trappier continued: “Two examples of this strategy are our new ExecuJet MRO facilities in Kuala Lumpur and Dubai, which replace smaller pre-existing operations and are poised to become regional service hubs for our growing fleets in Asia and the Middle East. These strategic moves will elevate the quality and consistency of Falcon service around the globe.”
