SAINT-CLOUD, France, June 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
Dassault Aviation's new flagship, the 6,450 nm Falcon 8X, has been certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), preparing the way for service introduction of the big new trijet.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120925/564526-a )
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160627/812385 )
Receipt of the approval is right in line with the established program schedule. FAA certification is expected in the coming weeks, with entry into service in the early fourth quarter.
"We've broken new ground with the 8X," said Eric Trappier, Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO. "Not only did we meet customer demand for an aircraft combining increased range and cabin volume with the technological prowess of the popular 7X, but we were able to get it to market fully mature and tested in a remarkably short period of time, and exactly within our production schedule."
In late April, Falcon 8X s/n 03 completed a global proving tour designed to demonstrate aircraft capabilities under different conditions of operation with a particular focus on cabin comfort and connectivity. The 65-flight 55,000 nm campaign took the aircraft to 46 destinations, from North, Central and South America to Europe, the Middle East, China and Southeast Asia. Missions varied in length, from 18 minutes to 14 hours, including ultra-long range flights from Singapore and Sao Paulo to Paris and from New York to Abu Dhabi. The aircraft experienced a full range of flight conditions, from hot weather and extreme cold (-33°C) to extra high and low humidity environments.
A total of 26 test and operational pilots took part in the tests, along with more than 60 engineers, technicians and flight attendants.
"Feedback from the operational trials - cabin comfort, air conditioning, and in particular cabin noise - was excellent and indicate the aircraft is poised for a flawless service entry," said Olivier Villa, Senior Vice President, Dassault Aviation Civil Aircraft. "Moreover, new innovations in aircraft insulation will allow us to further lower cabin noise compared to the Falcon 7X, currently the quietest aircraft in the industry."
The three aircraft used in the flight test program are now being redeployed following the completion of the flight test and certification campaign, which totaled over 830 hours over 400 flights.
S/n 01 will be used to certify Dassault's revolutionary FalconEye Combined Vision System (CVS) on the 8X and to gain approval for its use in Dual Head Up Display configuration. Dassault's FalconEye is the first HUD in the industry to blend synthetic and enhanced vision capabilities, offering unprecedented situational awareness. Its utilization in Dual HUD mode will be another first in business aviation. The two approvals are anticipated in the fourth quarter 2016 and late 2017 respectively.
Meanwhile, production is continuing to ramp up to meet growing demand for the aircraft. Serial number 26 is currently in final assembly at the Dassault's Mérignac production plant near Bordeaux. 12 aircraft are already in cabin outfitting at the company's Little Rock, Arkansas completion facility.
8X Follows Traditions of Performance and Efficiency
Derived from the popular Falcon 7X, the ultra-long range Falcon 8X was unveiled in May 2014 at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition and first flew on February 6, 2015. The 8X will offer the greatest range and the longest cabin of any Falcon, allowing it to fly passengers comfortably from Beijing to New York, Hong Kong to London or Moscow to Los Angeles nonstop. It will also share the 7X's exceptional operating economy and short-field performance.
In addition to the quietest cabin and the most advanced digital flight control system in business aviation, the new trijet will feature the largest selection of standard cabin configurations of any large business jet.
Notes for Editors
Dassault Falcon is the recognized global brand for Dassault business jets which are designed, manufactured and supported by Dassault Aviation and Dassault Falcon Jet Corp.
About Dassault Aviation
Dassault Aviation is a leading aerospace company with a presence in over 90 countries across five continents. It produces the Rafale fighter jet as well as the complete line of Falcons. The company employs a workforce of over 11,000 and has assembly and production plants in both France and the United States and service facilities around the globe. Since the rollout of the first Falcon 20 in 1963, over 2,400 Falcon jets have been delivered. Dassault offers a range of six business jets from the twin-engine 3,350 nm large-cabin Falcon 2000S to its new flagship, the tri-engine 6,450 nm ultra-long range Falcon 8X.
About Dassault Falcon Jet
Dassault Falcon Jet Corp. is a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Dassault Aviation, France. Dassault Falcon Jet markets and supports the Falcon family of business jets throughout North and South America.
Photos
Copy and paste the link into your browser to access the high resolution photos: http://www.falconphotogallery.com
For more information about Dassault Falcon business jets, visit: http://www.dassaultfalcon.com
Press Contacts
Dassault Aviation (Saint-Cloud, France)
Vadim Feldzer Tel. +33-1-47-11-44-13
vadim.feldzer@dassault-aviation.com
Marie-Alexandrine Fouillard Tel. +33-1-47-11-64-23
marie-alexandrine.fouillard@dassault-aviation.com
Dassault Falcon Jet (Teterboro Airport, USA)
Andrew Ponzoni Tel. +1-201-541-45-88
andrew.ponzoni@falconjet.com
Grant Kielczewski Tel. +1-201-541-46-79
grant.kielczewski@falconjet.com
Follow us on Twitter: @DassaultFalcon
Share this article