The new Falcon 6X successfully completed its maiden flight on March 10, 2021. The business jet took off from Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (BOD) where Dassault’s final assembly line is located.
The flight lasted two hours and a half, during which the two test pilots assessed the aircraft’s flight behavior, the engines’ response, and other on-board systems. The aircraft reached 40,000 ft (approx. 12,200 m) and a cruising speed of Mach 0.80. This first flight marks the beginning of the test campaign prior to certification. Two more test Falcon 6Xs should take to the air in the coming months.
“Today’s flight marks a new major milestone in the history of Dassault Aviation, all the more remarkable as it demonstrates the resilience of our company and all of its partners in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation commented in a statement. We dedicate this flight to Olivier Dassault, tragically deceased three days ago. A qualified Falcon pilot, he embodied his family’s passion for aviation beautifully.”
The Falcon 6X was announced on February 28, 2018, after the cancellation of the Falcon 5X over the shortcomings of the Safran Silvercrest engine. Decided to leave behind this setback, Dassault Aviation promised to deliver a redefined business jet travel experience with a “major redesign” rather than a slightly changed 5X.