Dassault Aviation delivered its first Falcon 8X on October 5, 2016, marking the entry into service of the company’s new ultra-long range flagship. Amjet Executive took delivery of the aircraft at Dassault Aviation’s Bordeaux-Merignac facility in France, and is now the first company to operate the Falcon 8X.
The 8X, which has a range of 6,450 nautical miles (11,945km), received its EASA and FAA 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 and CEO, 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 USA and Europe, to the UAE and India. Another 11 aircraft are in final assembly in Merignac and 16 are being outfitted and painted at our corporate completion facility in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Little Rock facility recently underwent a US$60m expansion to enable it to handle the planned influx of Falcon 8X trijets.
October 7, 2016
