Dassault Falcon 8X business jet makes first flight

Dassault Aviation has completed the first flight of its ultra-long range Falcon 8X, the newest addition to its business jet portfolio.

Lifted-off from Dassault Aviation’s Mérignac plant in France, the Falcon 8X s/n 01 levelled off at 5,000ft and raised its landing gear at 15,000ft, prior to flight handling manoeuvres and system tests.

The aircraft later climbed to 12,000m, accelerating to Mach 0.80 and descended to 5,000ft for approach and landing.

Test pilot Eric Gérard said: "Throughout the flight, the Falcon 8X demonstrated excellent handling qualities, the hallmark of all Dassault Aviation aircraft.

"We reached each of the performance objectives set for the first mission and, in a few cases, surpassed target goals."

Dassault said it is on track to receive certification for the Falcon 8X in mid-2016, with plans to commence deliveries from the second half of the same year.

Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier said: "Dassault Aviation’s state-of-the-art military aircraft know-how enables us to design and build business jets that combine exceptional reliability, flight handling and technical capabilities with unmatched cabin comfort and operating economics."

The company is preparing to conduct flight tests of Falcon 8X s/n 02 and 03 in the next few months. As part of the flight test programme, each aircraft will complete 500 flight hours.

Falcon 8X s/n 03 will be assembled with a complete interior, and will be subjected to a system test campaign at the company’s completion facility in Little Rock, Arkansas, US later in 2015.

Launched in December 2014, the Falcon 8X is powered by an improved Pratt and Whitney Canada PW307 engine, and is claimed to offer 35% in fuel efficiency than other aircraft in the ultra-long range segment.

The aircraft can accommodate eight passengers and three crew members.

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Image: The Falcon 8X s/n 01 lifted-off from Dassault Aviation’s Mérignac plant in France. Photo: courtesy of Dassault Aviation / G Gosse.