Dassault to highlight falcon 8X, 900LX Trijets at Dubai

Dassault will also be leveraging the event to promote its new ultra-widebody Falcon 6X, currently in development. A full-scale cabin mockup of the large twinjet will be featured at the static display.

The 6,450 nm / 11,945 km Falcon 8X has been a leading seller in the Middle East since the first aircraft was delivered to a Gulf customer three years ago. The 8X can fly non-stop from New York to Dubai, Dubai to Adelaide, or Chicago to Jeddah, yet land at restricted airports that are typically inaccessible to large business jets, like London City, Gstaad, Switzerland, and Saint-Tropez-La Mole, France. The aircraft’s spacious cabin – the longest of any Falcon – is the quietest of any business jet on the market.

Middle East Market Outlook 

The Middle East is also expected to be a major market for the 5,500 nm / 10,186 km Falcon 6X, which will be the most spacious, modern and versatile twin in its class. “We expect the Gulf region to be a major driver for our ultra widebody Falcon 6X, as it is already proving to be for our Falcon 8X flagship,” said Dassault Aviation Chairman/CEO Eric Trappier. “The Middle East has always been a key market for Falcon aircraft, whose efficiency, cabin comfort and value for money are particularly appreciated by local operators.”

The Gulf-based Falcon fleet has nearly doubled in the last five years, to more than 70 aircraft, and continues to grow.

The 6X will offer the largest cabin cross-section of any purpose-built business jet — 2.58 m / 102 inches wide, 1.98 m / 6 feet 6 inches high and 12.30 m / 40 feet 4 inches long — and will be capable of flying directly from Dubai to any destination in Asia, Africa and Europe at Mach 0.85. It will be equipped with a new-generation Digital Flight Control System that provides better maneuverability by controlling all moving surfaces, including a new control surface called a flaperon, adapted from Dassault fighter aircraft.

Development of the 6X, including its Pratt & Whitney Canada PW812D engine, is right on schedule and final assembly of the first aircraft will begin early next year. The first flight is set for 2021 and certification and initial delivery are planned for 2022.