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.
“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.”
Dassault Aviation Chairman/CEO Eric Trappier
“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.”
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 14:45. The flight lasted approximately two hours and thirty minutes and was executed per the test plan; with the pilots testing aircraft handling qualities, engine response and the behaviour 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.”
Test pilots Bruno Ferry and Fabrice Valette
Falcon 6X inflight 
Falcon 6X inflight
Serial number 01’s next flight will combine test activities with a hop to Istres, near Marseille, where the Dassault flight test centre 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.
Falcon 6X inflight 
Falcon 6X inflight
“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.”
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About Falcon 6X
Measuring six feet six inches in height and eight feet six inches in width, the 6X will be the first ultra-widebody purpose-built business jet in the industry.
- Cabin height: 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 meters)
- Max width: 8 feet 6 inches (2.58 meters)
- Cabin length: 40 feet 4 inches (12.30 meters)
- Up to 16 Passengers
- The extra width also means a 5-inch wider aisle, compared to previous Falcons.
Short-Field Capability. It is a twin-engine with the low-speed performance of a three-engine aircraft. With extendable leading-edge slats and trailing-edge flaps on the wings, approach speed can be as low as 109 KIAS (202 km/h) with 8 passengers, 3 crew, SL, NBAA IFR reserves with a steep approach capability of up to 6 degrees. Suitable for landing at London City, Lugano, Saint-Tropez, Aspen and other challenging airports.