Dassault Aviation’s Falcon 6X ultra-long-range jet has officially entered service, the company announced Dec. 4.
The widebody aircraft received type certification by the FAA and EASA on Aug. 22. Since then, post-certification upgrades have been applied, which required EASA approval. The company did not elaborate on the upgrades.
“Dassault Aviation shares this remarkable occasion with its customers, who are sure to receive an exceptional aircraft," says Eric Trappier, Dassault Aviation chairman and CEO.
The Falcon 6X entering service, aircraft number four, is a demonstration aircraft for Dassault, the company confirmed. The aircraft has begun a global road show for meetings with customers and prospective customers. (The first three are flight-test aircraft.)
Eight additional Falcon 6X aircraft have been ferried to Dassault’s completion center in Little Rock, Arkansas, according to Aviation Week data. The first of the five is registered to a Swiss customer and is painted with a Swiss flag on its tail. Dassault’s Little Rock completion center came online in 2015.
The Falcon 6X, the largest aircraft in Dassault’s fleet, is the precursor to the Falcon 5X twinjet, which was launched in 2013. The Falcon 5X made its first flight in 2017. But the project was ultimately abandoned due to ongoing difficulties with its Safran Silvercrest engines. Dassault then launched a stretched version, the Falcon 6X, with Pratt & Whitney Canada PW812D turbofan engines. It made its first flight in March 2021.
The Falcon 6X has a maximum range of 5,500 nm at Mach 0.80 or 5,100 nm at Mach .85 with a maximum operating speed of Mach. 90. The aircraft, which can be configured to hold 12-to-16 passengers, features a cabin height of 6 ft. 6 in., a width of 8 ft. 6 in., and a cabin length of 40 ft. 4 in. Options include an extended entryway and galley, a crew rest area and spacious rear stateroom. The 6X includes 30 extra-large windows.
The aircraft is equipped with a digital flight control system and Honeywell Primus Epic-based EASy IV avionics, Dassault’s FalconEye heads-up display and a FalconScan diagnostics system.
Editor's Note: The story has been updated to include confirmation of the Falcon 6X as a Dassault demonstration aircraft.
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