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WELCOME ON BOARD Dassault’s Falcon 6X, scheduled to enter service in 2022, is a new business jet offering exciting levels of space and comfort. The French company’s latest model looks set to shake up the long range private jet market

by Sergio Barlocchetti ph.courtesy of Dassault

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t a price of just under 50 million dollars, it’s the top business aircraft in its class high-end jets with widened fuselage - and it will mark the French manufacturer’s return to twin engines after the launch of the three-jet 7X and 8X in the last twelve

years. The programme for the new Falcon 6X began in 2018, replacing the 5X project cancelled because of problems with the Silvercrest engines. The decision was taken to use new Pratt Whitney Canada PW812D (the D stands for Dassault), and the aircraft will make its first flight next year with its introduction into service set for 2022.

It’s a new development, as while Dassault has already exploited its experience in military aircraft by introducing innovations in aerodynamics and flight controls for their civil models, up until now in terms of interior design the company has always remained wedded to the established preferences of the North American market, its main target. As result it was high time to re-examine interior comfort and ergonomics by using more modern materials

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and techniques, enabling passengers to enjoy a quieter flight, lighting

is 51,000 ft) the cabin pressure in the 6X is the equivalent of the air

quality similar to natural levels provided by a skylight and thirty large

pressure at 3,900 feet, similar to that experienced in mountain areas,

windows, a full range of connectivity options including the ability to

but not above 1,300 metres. The extreme efficiency of the pressurisation

manage interior lighting and climatisation from an iPhone, and above

system means that long flights can be undertaken without fatigue.

all a generous provision of usable space – the cabin is 198 cm high and

The air filtration and circulation system is another new feature, making

258 cm wide. As for the furnishings, while it’s still possible to specify

breathing easier as the entire volume is totally renewed every three

seats arranged in parallel rows this layout has been replaced by a single

minutes. Sound levels are among the lowest experienced on jets, below

flowing space with no brusque interruptions and the opportunity to

the level of a normal conversation – this too, means passengers can

use seating and tables in a more functional format. The Falcon 6X

arrive at their destination without feeling too tired, especially after a

offers exceptional performance, with a range of over 10,000 km and an

five- or six-hour flight. Cockpit development began around twenty-

impressive top speed (Max Operating Mach 0.90). It can also land on

five years ago with the introduction of the “Easy” system, which

runways less than 800 metres in length. To achieve this the company

now provides the two pilots with a reduced workload and maximum

has focussed its research on latest-generation aerodynamic profiles,

situation awareness. No parameter takes more than a second to consult

allowing an aircraft with a maximum landing weight of 30 tonnes to

on the screens, enhancing safety. All in all, anyone ordering a Falcon

adopt a slow approach to the field, touching down at around 200 km

6X can expect an innovative aircraft that after its introduction will

per hour. What’s more, while the aircraft is flying at high altitudes,

make all its rivals look out-of-date.

typically around 41,000 feet (although the certification maximum

www.dassaultfalcon.com

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No parallel lines in the cabin, as they have been eliminated in favour of a modern-style interior with flowing, uninterrupted lines that enhance the feeling of space. The thirty generous windows provide almost natural lighting.

The Falcon 6X has a range of 10,000 km and can land on runways shorter than 800 metres

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