French manufacturer is targeting type certification for ultra-long-range model in 2027. (06/19/2026)
Dassault Aviation made the first flight with its Falcon 10X on Friday, kicking off a test campaign it hopes will lead to type certification in 2027. The ultra-long-range business jet took off from runway 23 at Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (LFBD) at 11.10 a.m., landing two-and-a-half hours later at 1.40 p.m., the French manufacturer reported.
Test pilots Sébastien Dupont de Dinechin and co-pilot Fabrice Dougnac were at the controls to conduct an initial evaluation of the 10X’s handling qualities at 15,000 feet. Then they retracted the landing gear and all movable surfaces before climbing to 40,000 feet where they accelerated to Mach 0.82.
The first example of the new jet will soon be joined by a second test aircraft that is nearing completion at Dassault’s Mérignac factory. This will be followed by a third 10X fitted out with a full cabin interior that will be used mainly for evaluating aircraft systems and cabin functionality and reliability.