Dassault Aviation’s all-new Falcon 10X has successfully completed its first flight, demonstrating the maturity of the programme and marking the start of its flight test campaign.
Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, said the inaugural flight represents another milestone for the company. He highlighted the dedication and expertise of Dassault’s engineering, production and flight teams, as well as the contribution of its global network of partners, as the Falcon 10X enters a new phase of development.
Test Pilot Sébastien Dupont de Dinechin and copilot Fabrice Dougnac took off from runway 23 at Bordeaux-Mérignac at 11:10 a.m. for a two-hour and 30-minute flight. The pilots evaluated the aircraft’s handling qualities and systems at 15,000 feet before retracting the landing gear and movable surfaces.
The aircraft then climbed to 40,000 feet and accelerated to Mach 0.82 before returning to Bordeaux-Mérignac for a smooth landing at 1:40 p.m.
Sébastien Dupont de Dinechin said the flight marked the culmination of years of work by thousands of Dassault employees and partners. He added that the work resulted in a flight that proceeded as planned and was enjoyable to operate.
The first aircraft will soon be followed by a second test aircraft, which is nearing completion. A third aircraft is also being outfitted with a full interior and will primarily be used for systems testing, as well as cabin functional and reliability testing.
Dassault Aviation said its dual expertise in civil and defence aviation remains a long-term strength for the company.
