[Avionics Today 02-09-2015] Dassault Aviation’s new flagship long-range business jet, the Falcon 8X, has taken to the skies for the first time, a little more than one month after rollout. The aircraft lifted off from Dassault Aviation’s Mérignac plant near Bordeaux to demonstrate flight handling maneuvers and system tests, and successfully touched down less than two hours later.
 |
| Falcon 8X first flight. Photo: Dassault |
The next two flight test aircraft are scheduled to take to the air in the coming months. Each will take part in the flight test program that is expected to last around 500 flight hours.
Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier said the company’s Falcon 8X program is “right on target” for mid-2016 certification and second half 2016 deliveries.