Falcon 6X, 10X march toward certification

The fourth testing aircraft of the 5,500-nautical-mile-range jet was on display at the annual NBAA convention, along with a cabin mockup of the 7,500-nm-range Falcon 10X, which is expected to enter into service at the end of 2025.

The Falcon 6X has a maximum range of 5,500 nm, a top speed of Mach 0.90, and a cabin that spans 6 feet 6 inches high and 8 feet 6 inches wide. The 6X is a successor to the 5X program, which Dassault canceled after experiencing problems with the model’s Safran engine. The 13,500-pounds-thrust Pratt & Whitney 812D for the 6X earned European Union Aviation Safety Agency certification in August, Dassault said, with FAA certification pending. Aircraft will be delivered with the Honeywell Primus Epic-based avionics EASy IV. A flight simulator at CAE London Burgess Hill in the United Kingdom will begin training in the spring.

The first production 6X recently completed an around-the-world demonstration tour showcasing the aircraft’s capabilities in different environments. The tour included 50 flights over 150 flight hours.

“All the flights received high praise from pilots, flight attendants, and dozens of engineers who doubled as passengers,” said Éric Trappier, chairman and CEO, citing a whisper-quiet cabin, fuel consumption as forecast, and excellent connectivity.

Dassault has begun production of parts for the larger Falcon 10X, an ultra-long-range jet that is expected to max out at Mach 0.925. The company reported Rolls-Royce has logged 1,000 hours of testing of the Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X, including runs on 100-percent sustainable aviation fuel.