THE LAST LAP BEFORE THE WORLD TOUR |
|
|
|
|
|
The Falcon 6X flight test program has cruised past 900 hours, completing envelope expansion, engine performance testing and many other certification requirements. Flooded runway tests are ahead. The fourth of six aircraft will undergo route proving tests, which will take it around the world; while aircraft #5 and #6 are undergoing completions in Little Rock, Arkansas. Production is ramping up with the 2nd serial number starting. Aircraft number 16 is at the head of the production line. Pilots from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) are flying with Dassault crews for final checks, with entry into service expected mid-2023.
> Follow the 6X Round-the-Globe Proving |
|
|
|
|
|
THE TOUGHEST TEST OF ALL -
THE REAL WORLD
___________
Later this month, the first production aircraft will begin a grueling 40-stop, 150-hour, round-the-world tour. These aren’t publicity flights. The aircraft is loaded with engineers and technicians who will put all sorts of cabin systems to the test: tray tables, satphones, air conditioning and galley equipment as well as much more.
It’s an evaluation of the durability and reliability of the aircraft that goes beyond tests required for certification with 250 evaluation points in all. The crew will fly legs of 10-12 hours: Paris to Los Angeles, Sao Paulo to France, Johannesburg to Kuala Lumpur at Mach 0.87-0.88.
The 6X will bake on Middle Eastern ramps this summer, then fly low circuits over the desert to test maximum cooling efficiency of the environmental control system. This is the corollary to tests previously this winter in Iqaluit, Canada where the aircraft was cold-soaked to -37°C, almost -40°F! |
|
| | |
THE TOUGHEST TEST OF ALL -
THE REAL WORLD
___________
Later this month, the first production aircraft will begin a grueling 40-stop, 150-hour, round-the-world tour. These aren’t publicity flights. The aircraft is loaded with engineers and technicians who will put all sorts of cabin systems to the test: tray tables, satphones, air conditioning and galley equipment as well as much more.
It’s an evaluation of the durability and reliability of the aircraft that goes beyond tests required for certification with 250 evaluation points in all. The crew will fly legs of 10-12 hours: Paris to Los Angeles, Sao Paulo to France, Johannesburg to Kuala Lumpur at Mach 0.87-0.88.
The 6X will bake on Middle Eastern ramps this summer, then fly low circuits over the desert to test maximum cooling efficiency of the environmental control system. This is the corollary to tests previously this winter in Iqaluit, Canada where the aircraft was cold-soaked to -37°C, almost -40°F! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
FLIRTING WITH THE SOUND BARRIER
___________
Test pilots Philippe Duchateau and Bruno Ferry completed a series of high-speed tests in April, up to Mach 0.97, 7 points above the aircraft’s max cruise speed. Precise flying skills are essential for these tests; Duchateau and Ferry have honed theirs on Dassault fighters and Falcons.
During the test series, the pilots repeatedly rolled into a 110-degree, slightly inverted dive to accelerate and then rolled level at the desired speed, followed by roll reversals. Test equipment induced vibration modes into the flight controls to ensure there were no bad habits at high speed. Not your typical day at the office, even for test pilots.
> Watch the Dramatic Video |
|
| |
FLIRTING WITH THE SOUND BARRIER
___________
Test pilots Philippe Duchateau and Bruno Ferry completed a series of high-speed tests in April, up to Mach 0.97, 7 points above the aircraft’s max cruise speed. Precise flying skills are essential for these tests; Duchateau and Ferry have honed theirs on Dassault fighters and Falcons.
During the test series, the pilots repeatedly rolled into a 110-degree, slightly inverted dive to accelerate and then rolled level at the desired speed, followed by roll reversals. Test equipment induced vibration modes into the flight controls to ensure there were no bad habits at high speed. Not your typical day at the office, even for test pilots.
> Watch the Dramatic Video |
|
|
|
|
|
AIRCRAFT CARRIER-STYLE LANDINGS |
|
|
|
|
|
The runway at Colorado’s Telluride Airport is 9,070 feet long (2,764 m) which looks something like an aircraft carrier with sheer drops at either end. A flight test team came here for high-elevation flight trials, testing engine starts in the thin mountain air and making sure the cabin pressurization system, cabin oxygen system, and other systems worked as expected at this “top of the world” airport. Crews don’t want oxygen masks popping out unexpectedly when cabin pressure meets ambient (outside) pressure above 9,000 feet, for example. All worked as expected, and the crew enjoyed a little downtime in a spectacular mountain resort town. |
|
|
|
|
|
UNVEILING THE FALCON PRIVACY SUITE |
|
|
|
|
|
Dassault Aviation is tackling one of the main passenger satisfaction issues on long-duration flights—limited privacy, especially for sleeping. The solution is a private compartment with a lie-flat bed. The company is offering these compartments for its newest long-range jets.
Customers can have one or more Privacy Suites on their aircraft. A stateroom-equipped cabin could be fitted with two of them, for example. When flying with small passenger loads, as is typical on the longest flights, more passengers can enjoy privacy and get restful sleep, regardless of the time of day.
> Unveiling the Falcon Privacy Suite |
|
|
|
|
|
EXPANDING YOUR COMFORT ZONE
___________
The 6X was designed specifically to provide maximum comfort over long distances. A look at a couple of range maps shows that this airplane has legs. From London, for example, the 6X flies nonstop to Los Angeles, Johannesburg, Hong Kong and Tokyo. From New York City, the 6X puts Honolulu, Buenos Aires and Tel Aviv within nonstop reach. From Dubai, the 6X flies to Perth and to all of Europe nonstop. Ten to twelve hour trips will be routine for the 6X. The combination of personal space, quiet, pure air and low cabin altitude will be out of the ordinary. |
|
| | |
EXPANDING YOUR COMFORT ZONE
___________
The 6X was designed specifically to provide maximum comfort over long distances. A look at a couple of range maps shows that this airplane has legs. From London, for example, the 6X flies nonstop to Los Angeles, Johannesburg, Hong Kong and Tokyo. From New York City, the 6X puts Honolulu, Buenos Aires and Tel Aviv within nonstop reach. From Dubai, the 6X flies to Perth and to all of Europe nonstop. Ten to twelve hour trips will be routine for the 6X. The combination of personal space, quiet, pure air and low cabin altitude will be out of the ordinary. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
NEXT-GENERATION, EASy IV FLIGHT DECK
___________
The Falcon EASy avionics system set the standard for intuitive, capable flight decks. This fourth-generation system adds new capabilities, reducing pilot workload and improving safety. Now flight displays are crisper and more vivid with layered information showing pilots what they need when they need it.
With EASy IV, pilots now see traffic in the air and while taxiing at busy airports. They have more weather information to help plan smoother routes and have added protections against runway overruns. They can fly new types of instrument approaches for improved access to runways affected by terrain or high-density traffic. |
|
| |
NEXT-GENERATION, EASy IV FLIGHT DECK
___________
The Falcon EASy avionics system set the standard for intuitive, capable flight decks. This fourth-generation system adds new capabilities, reducing pilot workload and improving safety. Now flight displays are crisper and more vivid with layered information showing pilots what they need when they need it.
With EASy IV, pilots now see traffic in the air and while taxiing at busy airports. They have more weather information to help plan smoother routes and have added protections against runway overruns. They can fly new types of instrument approaches for improved access to runways affected by terrain or high-density traffic. |
|
|
|
|
|
Before its world tour, aircraft #4 was displayed for the first time at the EBACE convention in Geneva. Eager attendees took advantage of the opportunity to experience the magnificently proportioned cabin and the state-of-the-art flight deck. Needless to say, all were impressed.
> Watch the 6X Aerial Video |
|
|
|
|
|
DASSAULTFALCON.COM | DASSAULT AVIATION and DASSAULT FALCON JET CORP. All rights reserved 2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
