First Electric Bizjet To Fly High and Then Land High

The world's first fly-by-wire business jet just passed another milestone on its way towards full certification. A few weeks ago, it spent several lovely afternoons broiling itself in the hot Tunisian sun. A few months earlier, it endured the snow and ice of the Canadian arctic.

Nest step is high altitude testing in the Western US followed by high altitude landings at Gunnsion, CO (elev. 7,000 feet) and then up to Leadville, CO (elev. 10,000 feet).

CEO and President, John Rosanvallonne, said four aircraft are flying, and have logged over 1,000 hours. He arrived on Falcon #3 in Orlando after flying from Little Rock, AK. That city will be the home of the Dassault Falcon completion center in the US. 

The 7X is on its way to reaching all of its rated speeds and has already been tested at full CG limits. The plane has been delayed slightly due to the addition of winglets that now add to the expected range of 5,950 miles.

At least 125 aircraft are on order making the Falcon 7X the most successful launch of a large cabin business jet ever. Forty aircraft are in various stages of production now and future production increases are currently being evaluated. If you want one, the next delivery position is not available until late in 2011.

Once the plane completes all of its trials, certification is expected in the first quarter of next year, with deliveries expected in the second quarter.

FMI: www.dassaultfalcon.com