After Some Last-Minute Changes, the Big Bird is Ready for Showtime

Right at the tail end of November Dassault put the finishing touches on its Falcon 6X, thanks to some post-certification changes made to its demonstrator aircraft.

Now, with approvals from the FAA and EASA fresh in hand, Dassault is ready to take orders for its long-legged, quick little bizjet. Well, perhaps by larger aircraft standards, it's small, but among its Falcon siblings the 6x tops the scales. It's the largest and heaviest bird in the family, though every test report seems to say the same: Dassault taught this one how to dance, too, and all the important company DNA survives in the Falcon 6x. A 5,500-nm range, cruise of and a top speed of 0.90 mach all prove the 6X is the best they’ve ever done. The aircraft sports modern Pratt & Whitney PW812D engines, offering "double digit improvements in fuel efficiency and carbon emissions". Ownership is said to be easier than before with the nifty (but new) FalconScan advanced diagnostics system, which "monitors and reports on 100,000 maintenance parameters" - that should help keep track of all the legal must-do items, but how well liked it will be remains to be seen.

Finally, the big change for the 6X is its standard (and unoriginally named) FalconEye combined vision system, allowing for improved situational awareness during approaches in darkness or hard IFR conditions. Both control stations sport expansive HUD windows, with PFDs showing high-res renditions of surroundings, maps, traffic advisories, and even airport signage.

“Dassault Aviation shares this remarkable occasion with its customers, who are sure to receive an exceptional aircraft,” said Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO Éric Trappier.

FMI: www.dassault-aviation.com/en/