7X Takes First Virtual Flight

Last month in St. Cloud, France, Dassault Aviation performed the first simulated flight of the Falcon 7X, establishing a preliminary standard for its fly-by-wire controls.

"This virtual 'first flight' was very exciting," said Bill Kerhervé, Dassault Aviation's chief test pilot.  He and test pilot Philippe Deleume worked together to evaluate the flight controls.  "I was particularly impressed by the superb handling qualities through the whole flight envelope."

The Falcon 7X will be the first business jet in the world with fly-by-wire flight controls.  This technology, which Dassault has used on its fighter jets for decades, will allow significant gains in safety and passenger comfort.

The Falcon Simulation Bench (BSF), on which Kerhervé and Deleume flew, comprises a 7X flight deck functional mock-up coupled to a real-time simulation bench, with an artificial environment projected onto a screen in front of the cabin. It provides the ability to perform full simulated flights - from take-off to landing - testing all the airbrakes, flaps, slats and gear configurations for different weights, speeds and centers-of-gravity (CG).

By 2004, the BSF will be linked to a Global Test Bench (BTG), which will be fully representative of the entire flight control system of the aircraft, including hydraulics and electrical power generation.  Due to Dassault's experience with fly-by-wire in fighter jet applications, Dassault test pilots and engineers will be able to begin testing and validating the aircraft's systems and control laws prior to the first flight.  During the flight test period, the bench will be enriched with actual flight test data and will be used to fine-tune control law and help in the certification process.

Since the rollout of the first Falcon 20 in 1963, over 1500 Falcon jets have been delivered to more than 65 countries worldwide. The family of Falcon jets currently in production includes four tri-jets - the Falcon 50EX, 900C, 900EX, and the new 7X - as well as the twin-engine Falcon 2000 and 2000EX.

FMI: www.falconjet.com