We could not begin this month’s issue of Flightline without commenting on the sad news of the passing of Serge Dassault, who died in his Paris office on May 28 at the age of 93. As tributes have poured in from around the world, Serge has been described as a pioneer, innovator, giant, and legend. To the Dassault Falcon family, he was all that, as well as a leader whose vision, energy and infectious passion for aviation helped make the company what it is today.

Dassault’s design professionals have outdone themselves again with a completely restyled interior for the ultra-widebody Falcon 6X. New images show off the 6X’s stunning beauty, flowing lines, and wide aisles. With the tallest and widest cabin cross section in any purpose-built business jet, the 6X can easily accommodate up to 16 passengers in three lounges. You and your entire team can work, rest, relax and arrive in perfect, uncrowded comfort.

Dassault recently unveiled its newest innovation, FalconConnect, at EBACE, and it’s a game-changer. A partnership with Honeywell/GoDirect, FalconConnect removes the two biggest barriers in inflight connectivity — complexity and cost — by integrating onboard communications into a single offering and providing a single source for hardware, services and support, as well as cost-effective, easy-to-understand billing packages.

One of the benefits of Falcons’ fighter jet DNA is the ability to serve so many non-corporate missions, including government and military. The most recent example is the acquisition by the Japan Coast Guard of a 5th Falcon 2000MSA (Maritime Surveillance Aircraft), which the service has purchased to enhance its maritime patrol capabilities. The 2000 was chosen yet again because of its optimal combination of size, payload, speed, range and efficiency.

The 2018 Falcon M&O (Maintenance & Operations) Seminar series was truly a global success, traveling to eight cities on four continents. More than 1,800 attendees representing 800 Falcon operators and 25 partners and exhibitors were on hand to hear from 53 speakers on Dassault’s latest products and services, and discussions of 71 technical and flight operations topics. The M&O tour provides invaluable insights that help us continually improve the Falcon customer experience.

Readers will get a kick out of the latest Crew Chief Blog, because it takes them to Russia for one of the biggest sporting events in the world, the FIFA World Cup. It only happens once every four years, but when it does, Falcons fly in from every corner of the globe. In the blog, Jacques Chauvet, Senior VP, Worldwide Falcon Customer Service, describes what happens when they land, and how Dassault product support pros make sure every Falcon is well cared for.

Dassault has signed an agreement with German Aerospace Center DLR, one of the world’s most respected aviation research centers, for the acquisition of a Falcon 2000LX. German Chancellor Angela Merkel was present for the signing, which took place at the Berlin Air Show. Under the arrangement, a 2000LX will be transformed into an inflight Systems & Technology Airborne Research (iSTAR) vehicle. Dassault is granting DLR unprecedented access to its development know-how and experience in aerodynamics.