French aerospace company Dassault announced that its latest private jet, the 6X, gained certification in the European Union (EU) and the United States (US).
The company revealed both the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued the Dassault Falcon 6X with a Type Certificate (TC) on August 22, 2023.
According to Dassault, the TC was granted following a “more than two-year-long test campaign during which 1,500 flight hours were logged worldwide”. This marks a significant step for the Falcon 6X to begin flying commercially in due course. The first units are currently undergoing “final completion,” Dassault noted.
“The certification of the Falcon 6X is a remarkable milestone for Dassault Aviation. We would like to recognize the EASA and FAA certification teams for their commitment in this demanding process and our customers for their confidence,” Eric Trappier, the chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of Dassault Aviation, said.
According to Trappier, the Falcon 6X is now the latest business jet “to comply with the latest regulations, which will enhance the safety and security of all new aircraft”.
Dassault described its latest business aviation program as the “most spacious, advanced, and versatile twinjet in the long-range business jet segment”.
However, the certification of the Falcon 6X experienced issues. In July 2023, Dassault requested a deviation from EASA regulations after the manufacturer found that two areas of the fuselage-placed fuel tank could not “sustain the wheel flange debris impact without fuel leakage”.
As such, the Falcon 6X was not compliant with the European authority’s regulations. Since the manufacturer noticed the problem late in the aircraft’s development process, Dassault requested a deviation. This was granted by EASA with the condition that the French manufacturer agreed to make design changes to ensure compliance once the private jet was issued a TC.
