Business jet manufacturer Dassault Aviation has delivered its first Falcon 8X to launch customer Amjet Executive.
The handover ceremony took place at the manufacturer’s Bordeaux-Merignac facility on Wednesday (local time).
The Falcon 8X is an update of Dassault’s existing Falcon 7X and designed to enable non-stop flights such as Sydney-Mumbai, Hong Kong-London or Beijing-Los Angeles.
It was launched in May 2014 at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition and flight tests began in February 2015.
The aircraft received certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency and US Federal Aviation Administration in June.
Dassault said the aircraft was delivered on schedule to Amjet, a current Falcon operator based in Athens, Greece.
“To see our new flagship Falcon handed over right on time in perfect operating order gives us immense pride,” Dassault Aviation chairman and chief executive Eric Trappier said in a statement.
“We are very pleased to deliver the first example of this great new aircraft to Amjet, a long time Falcon operator.”
With a cabin length of 13 metres, the Falcon 8X was capable of flying eight passengers and three crew 6,450nm at a speed of 0.8 Mach. Further, the cabin could be configured up to 30 different ways, including the potential to install a shower in the lavatory.
Amjet president Abakar Manany, who piloted the delivery fight, said the Falcon 8X would allow the company to offer more options for customers.
“I am extremely pleased to welcome the new Falcon 8X into our fleet,” Manany said.
“As a pilot, I can personally vouch for the remarkable handling and piloting qualities of the big new trijet. Its superb performance and cabin comfort will allow us to fill an ever wider range of needs and missions for our exceptionally demanding clientele.”
Dassault said there were currently 11 aircraft in final assembly, with a further 16 at the paintshop or having their interiors fitted. The company said it had orders from customers based in about a dozen countries in Europe ,the Americas, Middle East and Asia.
Here are a selection of photos from Dassault on the day the aircraft, SX-CGR, was delivered.
Meanwhile, Australian Aviation and Dassault Falcon are running a photo competition to mark the 100th anniversary of aerospace group Dassault Aviation.
Dassault has a long history in Australia. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) operated Dassault Mirage III fighters and Dassault Falcon 900 and Mystere 20 VIP aircraft for many years.
To celebrate the shared history between Australia and Dassault, we invite you to send in your photos showing Dassault aircraft in Australia.
The aircraft can be military or civil, and this competition is open to everyone.
The winner and runner-up in the competition will have their photos published in Australian Aviation. And Dassault Falcon will provide each winner with a large model of its newest long-range, large cabin business jet – the Falcon 8X.
More details can be found here.
