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| Dassault Falcon 8X. Photo: Dassault |
[Avionics Today 03-30-2016] Dassault Aviation’s Falcon 8X is entering the final stages of its flight test and certification program as work proceeds to prepare the ultra-long range trijet for initial delivery. Dassault expects FAA and EASA certification of the 8X midyear and entry into service by late summer.
The three aircraft in the flight test program have nearly completed all certification test requirements, and to date have accumulated more than 650 flight hours in 325 flights. Falcon 8X s/n 03 will now begin a global test campaign to demonstrate aircraft operational reliability and performance in different conditions of flight.
Meanwhile, as the flight testing and certification campaign nears completion, series production and support activities are moving into high gear. Falcon 8X s/n 21 recently entered final assembly in Bordeaux-Merignac and six airplanes are now in completion at Little Rock. Dassault Aviation recently completed work on a new hangar in Little Rock to handle 8X completions and broke ground on a new six-bay hangar at Bordeaux-Merignac to provide additional maintenance and repair resources for the 8X and 7X models.