Dassault Aviation has delivered its first Falcon 8X, marking the entry into service of the French aircraft manufacturer’s ultra-long range flagship.

Amjet Executive took delivery of the tri-engine aircraft today at Dassault Aviation’s facility in Bordeaux-Merignac and is now the first company to operate the Falcon 8X.

The 6,450 nm/11,945 km 8X received its EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) and FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) certification in June and is entering service precisely on schedule, two years after it was first announced. 

Certification followed a month-long round the globe operating test campaign intended to ensure aircraft systems would be fully mature and operational from day one.

“To see our new flagship Falcon handed over right on time in perfect operating order gives us immense pride,” said Eric Trappier, Chairman & CEO of Dassault Aviation. “We are very pleased to deliver the first example of this great new aircraft to Amjet, a long time Falcon operator.”

Based in Athens, Greece, Amjet offers fleet management, charter, sales and maintenance/repair services and operates a full line of Falcon jets, including the super midsized Falcon 50, the long range Falcon 900EX EASy and the very long range Falcon 7X.

“I am extremely pleased to welcome the new Falcon 8X into our fleet,” said Amjet President, Abakar Manany, who was at the controls for the delivery flight. “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.”

Further deliveries are anticipated over the coming weeks to customers in a dozen countries, from Brazil, the US and Europe, to the UAE and India.

Another 11 aircraft are in final assembly in Mérignac and 16 are being outfitted and painted at the corporate completion facility in Little Rock, Arkansas, US. The Little Rock facility recently underwent a $60 million expansion to enable it to handle the planned influx of Falcon 8X trijets.

PRODUCT SUPPORT PROGRAMME

Falcon 8X operators benefit from a full package of services put together by Dassault Aviation’s product support organisation to assist them in taking delivery of their new Falcon jet. The service package is customised to individual operator needs and starts well before the aircraft arrives in customer hands.

Prior to delivery, pilot and maintenance crews are given a full entry into service briefing on the new Falcon jet, tailored to the aircraft type and level of operator Falcon experience. Flight crews’ training is dispensed by Dassault partner, FlightSafety International, on a new generation full flight simulator inaugurated in mid-September at the Falcon Training Center in Paris/Le Bourget. Cabin crews and passengers can follow one-day familiarisation sessions - tailored to individual aircraft operating requirements - offered in cooperation with Aircare FACTS Training International.

Following delivery, the customer can make use of Dassault pilot operator support services to smooth entry into service. These services include dispatching Dassault test pilots, operational pilots or support engineers to the operator premises to provide support during initial flights or assist crews with special mission requirements.

Throughout the life of the aircraft, customers can rely on Dassault’s worldwide network of maintenance, repair and overhaul centres, spare parts centers and GoTeams. The network includes factory owned MRO facilities in Le Bourget, Little Rock, Reno, Nevada, Wilmington, Delaware and Sorocaba Brazil; 45 regional authorized service centres; 15 spares facilities and FalconResponse, the company’s comprehensive portfolio of Aircraft On Ground services that includes the industry’s first alternative lift offering.

Dassault Falcon is the global brand for Dassault business jets which are designed, manufactured and supported by Dassault Aviation and its US subsidiary Dassault Falcon Jet Corp.

Dassault Aviation is a leading aerospace company with a presence in over 90 countries across five continents. It produces the Rafale fighter jet as well as the complete line of Falcons. The company employs a workforce of over 11,000 and has assembly and production plants in both France and the US and service facilities around the globe. Since the rollout of the first Falcon 20 in 1963, over 2,400 Falcon jets have been delivered. Dassault offers a range of six business jets from the twin-engine 3,350 nm large-cabin Falcon 2000S to its new flagship, the tri-engine 6,450 nm ultra-long range Falcon 8X.