Falcon 5X commence limited flight test campaign

Dassault Aviation has commenced a limited preliminary flight test campaign of its Falcon 5X business jet, which remained grounded due ...

Dassault Aviation has commenced a limited preliminary flight test campaign of its Falcon 5X business jet, which remained grounded due to engine development delay.

The first prototype of Falcon 5X, which was unveiled in 2015 took off for its maiden flight on Wednesday, from Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport, France.

Persistent developmental delays with the Safran Silvercrest engine delayed the first flight and testing, which was slated to commence in 2015.

Dassault says the prototype is powered by an early version of the 11,450-lb thrust Silvercrest engine, whose development is now expected to be completed in 2018, a four year delay from the initial schedule.

With test pilots Philippe Deleume and Philippe Rebourg at the controls, the Falcon 5X flew for 2-hours over Southern France.

Ahead of commencing full fledged flight testing later next year, this preliminary flight testing will allow to collect limited amount of airframe and system data that cannot be generated during the ground tests undertaken earlier.

The testing which will last a few weeks, will enable the French manufacturer to fine tune the aircraft and reduce the flight test points for full fledged flight testing and limit the delay impact as much as possible.

Flight validation and certification tests will be performed next year, once Safran delivers certifiable engines meeting Dassault’s specifications.

Dassault Aviation Chairman & CEO Eric Trappier said the validation tests on the modified Silvercrest engines by Safran later this year is critical for meeting the 5X entry into service in 2020.

The sixth member of Dassault's Falcon business jet family, the long range 5X sport tallest cabin cross-section of any business jet and features advanced digital flight control system.

Cruising at 45,000 ft at a speed of Mach 0.8 with 8 passengers and 3 crew members, the Falcon 5X can connect city pairs a maximum 5200 nautical miles (9630 km) apart in 11 hours and 30 minutes, like Los Angeles-London, New York - Sao Paulo or Shanghai - Sydney.

The cabin is 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) high and 8 feet 6 inches (2.58 m) wide, hence called the ultra wide-body business jet, and is nearly 39 feet (11.80 m) long (excluding the cockpit and baggage compartment), capable of accommodating up to 16 passengers comfortably.

One of the unique feature of the aircraft is that it can land with 95% of its 73,000 lb (33,113 kg) Maximum Take Off Weight.