The Falcon 8X, Dassault’s new flagship, has been certified by EASA. FAA certification is expected in the coming weeks, with entry into service expected early in the fourth quarter of 2016. Derived from the Falcon 7X, the 8X offers the greatest range (6,450 nautical miles) and the longest cabin of any Falcon. The aircraft was unveiled in May 2014 and first flew on February 6, 2015.
“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,” said Eric Trappier, chairman and CEO at Dassault Aviation.
“Feedback from the operational trials – on cabin comfort, air conditioning and in particular cabin noise – was excellent and indicates 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 with 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. S/n 01 will be used to certify Dassault’s FalconEye Combined Vision System on the 8X and to gain approval for its use in Dual Head Up Display configuration. The two approvals are anticipated in the fourth quarter 2016 and late 2017 respectively. Meanwhile, production is continuing to ramp up. Serial number 26 is currently in final assembly at Dassault’s Mérignac production plant near Bordeaux, France. There are currently 12 aircraft undergoing cabin outfitting at the company’s completion facility in Little Rock, Arkansas.
June 29, 2016
