Dassault Falcon Jet’s Little Rock, Ark., completion center on December 12 accepted the first Falcon 7X (S/N 05) for completion. The world’s first purpose-built fly-by-wire business jet is slated for delivery to its European-based customer in the second quarter.

“Little Rock has been preparing for this moment since the Falcon 7X program was announced in 2001,” said Dassault Falcon Jet president and CEO John Rosanvallon. “We’ve increased employment, enlarged our production facility and are evaluating further increases to accommodate the unprecedented demand for all Falcon aircraft but particularly the Falcon 7X.”

Currently the four aircraft in the Falcon 7X flight test and certification program are nearing 1,300 hours and 450 flights. Certification by EASA and the FAA is expected in this quarter. The company says it has orders for more than 125 Falcon 7Xs.