Saint-Cloud, France, March 10, 2021 – Dassault Aviation today announced that the  company’s widebody Falcon 6X has successfully completed its first flight as planned in the first  quarter of 2021, demonstrating the maturity of the program and opening the test campaign for  certification. 

“Today’s flight is another milestone in Dassault history, made all the more satisfying by the  remarkable efforts of the entire Dassault organization and its partners over the challenging  past year,” said Dassault Aviation Chairman/CEO Eric Trappier. “We dedicate today’s  achievement to Olivier Dassault, who died tragically on Sunday,” continued Trappier. “Olivier  was a Falcon pilot who perfectly embodied his family’s boundless passion for aviation.” 

“The 6X is the latest example of the fusion of military know-how and business aviation expertise  for which Dassault Aviation is so respected,” added Trappier. “The new capabilities in  efficiency, performance and safety it offers will set a new benchmark in the long-range  segment. This airplane will also set a new standard in terms of cabin comfort and  spaciousness, as demanded by our customers.”  

With test pilots Bruno Ferry and Fabrice Valette at its controls, aircraft 6X s/n 01 lifted off from  Dassault Aviation’s Mérignac plant near Bordeaux at 2:45 PM. This about two-hour-thirty maiden flight was executed per the test plan, with pilots testing aircraft handling qualities,  engine response and the behavior of key aircraft systems. The aircraft topped out at 40,000 ft  and reached a speed of M0.8 before returning to its base. 

“The 6X flew exactly as predicted by our models. From a pilot’s perspective, it flies like a  Falcon, which is to say with perfect precise handling in all phases of flight,” said Ferry. “Fabrice  and I are honored to have made the latest first flight in another fantastic Falcon.” 

Serial number 01’s next flight will combine test activities with a hop to Istres, near Marseilles,  where the Dassault flight test center is located and the bulk of the testing program will take  place. Falcon 6X s/n 02 and 03 are scheduled to take to the air in the coming months.

Source: Dassault Aviation