A multi-engine, instrument rated pilot, James Wynbrandt has been an AIN and Business Jet Traveler contributor since 2003. His in-depth reporting and insightful features have won more than a dozen editorial honors, including two National Business Aviation Association Gold Wing Awards (2019; 2021), and his articles have also appeared in the New York Times, Barron’s, Fortune, Forbes, and Smithsonian Air &amp; Space. He has flown his Mooney M20K 252 on assignments throughout North and Central America and the Caribbean. Wynbrandt is also the author of Flying High (Wiley &amp; Sons), a biography of Jet Blue founder David Neeleman, as well as histories, references works, and books on a variety of other topics from major publishers. He lives in New York City.

Contributor - Business Aviation

James Wynbrandt

Dassault Aviation’s forthcoming flagship, the Falcon 6X, is making its MEBAA debut and the French airframer is presenting a fully outfitted example of the “extra wide body” jet, scheduled to enter service in mid-2023, on display. Dassault is also displaying an 8X—the current flagship of the Falcon fleet—and a cabin mockup of the 10X, which will be even wider&nbsp;and taller&nbsp;than the 6X.

 


The 5,500-nm range 6X will have a top speed of Mach 0.90 and feature the tallest (6 feet&nbsp;6 inches&nbsp;(1.98 m)) and widest (8 feet&nbsp;6 inches&nbsp;(2.58 m)) cabin of any purpose-built business jet, according to Dassault. The 6X on display, the fourth airframe built, completed a round-the-world demonstration tour in July&nbsp;showcasing the aircraft’s maturity and reliability. The twinjet made 50 flights over five continents and logged 150 hours, flying up to five times per day during the tour.

 


“Pilots gave all systems, including new features of the EASy IV flight deck, high marks and assessed performance as ‘spot on,’” said Dassault Aviation chairman and CEO Eric Trappier.

 


The three test aircraft taking part in the certification process have concluded hot-weather trials in the Tunisian desert at temperatures of up to 118 degrees F (48 C), cold soak trials in northern Canada at temperatures as low as -36 degrees F (-38 C), and high-elevation trials at Telluride, Colorado.

 


During the trials, the twinjet “distinguished itself as an extremely remarkable aircraft, sailing through its certification campaign,” said Trappier. The final phases of EASA and FAA certification flight tests are underway.

 


The Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada PW812D engine that powers the 6X received EASA certification in August, and FAA approval is pending. In preparation for service entry, a full flight simulator has entered operation at CAE Burgess Hill in the UK, with training slated to start in April.

 


Meanwhile, as of mid-October, the 20th Falcon 6X was about to go on the final assembly line and three customer aircraft were in completion at Dassault’s U.S. interior facility in Little Rock, Arkansas.

 


The cabin mockup of the 10X on display highlights the next iteration of Dassault’s “go big” design strategy. A 7,500-nm-range jet, the 10X will feature an even taller (6 feet&nbsp;8 inches) and wider (9 feet&nbsp;1 inch) cabin than the 6X. On track for a 2025 service entry, it will incorporate a composite wing; the first conforming wing has been completed, and static and fatigue testing will begin soon, Dassault said. Parts manufacturing for the production of initial subassemblies is underway, and components with long lead times, including landing gear, are ready for assembly. Production of a full fuselage is expected by year’s end.

 


The purpose-built Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X engine—with more than 1,000 test hours logged—has achieved promised performance benchmarks, including compatibility with 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel. Ground testing of the first complete Pearl 10X—including its new nacelle, developed in-house, and engine build-up—is anticipated soon. Rolls-Royce, meanwhile, is building a production support facility adjacent to the 10X final assembly line in Bordeaux-Mérignac, France. The flight test campaign for the engine, slated to start next year, will take place on a Rolls-Royce flying test bed.

 


To streamline 10X certification, Dassault is using digitized systems enabling engineers to test and demonstrate the maturity of all systems on the ground, before the actual aircraft flies.

 


At its Istres, France, flight test center, the company has created two test benches equipped with a full flight deck and subsystems computer suites like those that will be on the production aircraft. Tests have begun&nbsp;and will cover avionics, engine controls, flight controls, hydraulics, electrical distribution, braking, fire protection, and other aircraft systems. A third test bench, at Dassault Aviation’s Saint-Cloud headquarters, near Paris, replicates the flight deck and flight control system.

 


In regard to sales, Dassault took net orders for 41 Falcons&nbsp;in the first half of this year, compared with 25 in the first half of 2021, and Trappier called the backlog—which grew to $34 billion (€34 billion) from $20.7 billion a year ago—“historically strong.”

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

6X Marks the Spot for Falcon “Wide Body” MEBAA Debut

Dassault’s Falcon 6X “extra wide body” makes MEBAA debut, as does a cabin mockup of the even wider forthcoming Falcon 10X.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

David G. Mayer

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Conducting due diligence is essential in finding a firm to operate your business aircraft on your behalf

AINsight: Can You Trust an Aircraft Management Company?

Kerry Lynch

Aircraft entered service in late 2025

Global 8000 To Mark Flightline Debut at Farnborough Show

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Available inventories of large business jets are down by 40% YOY

Used Business Jet, Turboprop Inventories Continue Slide

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

The first word and last word in aviation.

Inside AIN Media Group: Over 50 Years of Aviation News & Insights

Charlotte Bailey

Tri-national consortium awarded fresh funding following publication of UK Defense Investment Plan

Edgewing Gets $6.1 Billion for GCAP Fighter Development  

Curt Epstein

Nonprofit group looks to return the Lear 23 back to airworthy status

Progress Continues on First Production Lear Restoration

Charles Alcock

Military use cases could include carrying half a dozen Chinook helicopters

Radia Adds Partners for WindRunner Supersized Cargo Lifter

News and information about crew, passenger, aircraft and airport security issues.

More In Aircraft