Hot on the heels of its longer range cousin, the 7X, the Falcon 900DX took to the air for the first time on May 13 at Dassault’s facility in Bordeaux, Merignac, France.

During the three hour and 10 minute flight, test pilots Etienne Faurdessus and Philippe Narbey climbed to 41,000 feet and reached a maximum speed of 370 knots. Low speed handling abilities were tested at 130 knots with gear up and 100 knots with landing gear lowered.

“All systems performed flawlessly,” said Faurdessus. “We verified aircraft and navigation systems. The new fuel system was tested with several fuel transfers to check correct pump operation and to make sure the newly designed fuel tanks properly fed

the engines.”

The 900DX was designed to fill the niche between the 3,800nm 2000EX and the 4,500nm 900EX, and features the same Honeywell TFE31-60 engines, avionics and cockpit and cabin systems as the 900EX, as well as the EASy flight deck.

The fuel system was partially redesigned from the 2000EX and 900EX models.

There are currently more than 10 Falcon 900DX aircraft in various stages of production. Dassault is expecting certification and deliveries to begin before the end of 2005.