This year, Dassault Aviation whose head office is in Saint-Cloud, in the Parisian region, is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its Falcon business jets. Its first client, Pan American Airlines, gave it immediate credibility in the American market.

These past 60 years have been marked by a plethora of technological advances in civil aviation, innovations often derived from the French manufacturer’s military aircraft programmes.

Announced in February, 2018, the 6X redefines the long-range business jet segment. It completed its certification programme last May, with over 1,500 flight hours and 600 test flights. It is scheduled to enter into service in the coming weeks.

With an intercontinental flight range of 5,500 nm, (10,186 km), the Falcon 6X can, for example, connect Paris to Hong Kong nonstop. This twin-jet aircraft benefits from a new-generation digital flight control system after the one introduced for the first time on the Falcon 7X series in 2005.

Part of a rich accumulation of innovations and new technologies, the profile of its flight control system, benefiting from flaperons (flaps that double as ailerons) on each wing, is a significant feature, directly inherited from fighter planes. It enables the jet to enhance roll control and kill lift without losing speed or drag. Furthermore, the system allows the 6X to improve control on steep approaches and provide smoother touchdowns on short runways.

Another of the many innovations specific to Dassault, the FalconEye combined vision system will be a standard feature ensuring enhanced safety and situational awareness on approaches in darkness or poor weather.

As with all Falcons, the 6X offers superior operating flexibility. It is powered by new-generation Pratt & Whitney PW812D engines, offering significant improvements in fuel efficiency and carbon emissions.

The spacious cabin with its flowing design, 1.98 m tall and 2.58 m wide, focuses on passenger comfort. Special attention has been given to light and panoramic views, with a skylight at the entrance and 30 extra-large windows.

“The first 6X flight simulator has been certified and is ready to welcome and train the first pilots. Meanwhile, the maintenance network is getting ready for the jet to enter into service. The first teams of technicians are qualified and ready to take action worldwide. Everything is in place for a harmonious start,” declared Éric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation, at the press conference held at the EBACE business aviation fair in Geneva on May 22nd, 2023.

TECHNICAL DATA

CABIN DIMENSIONS
HEIGHT: 78.00 in / 1.98 m
WIDTH: 102 in / 2.58 m
LENGTH: 40 ft 4 in / 12.3 m
(excluding cockpit and luggage
compartment)
VOLUME: 1,845 ft 3 in / 52.2 m3
(excluding cockpit and luggage
compartment)
LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT VOLUME:
155 ft 3 in / 4.4 m3

PERFORMANCE

DISTANCE ACHIEVABLE
(8 passengers, 3 crew members,
NBAA IFR, ISA reserves, full fuel)
5,500 nm / 10,186 km at Mach .80
5,100 nm / 9,445 km at Mach .85
LANDING DISTANCE (SL)
2,480 ft / 760 m
CERTIFIED FLIGHT ALTITUDE
51,000 ft / 15,545 m