On April 1, 1963, the Mystère 20 rolled out of the assembly line in Bordeaux-Merignac, France, signalling the beginning of a new journey for Dassault Aviation. That was the first of its business aircraft and was based on technologies designed for the Mystère IV fighter. It resembled an airliner more than an executive aircraft, but nevertheless the Mystere-Falcon 20 was the first true purpose-built business jet. Twenty different models have followed in the years since and there is no looking back. Today, over 2,250 Falcons have been delivered to 82 countries around the world and the Falcon fleet has surpassed 16.2 million hours of flight time, testimony of the reputation for quality and performance that the Falcon family has acquired within the aviation community. Dassault Falcon has at present six models of business jets, starting with 2000S; 2000LXS; 900LX; 5X; 7X and 8X.

The Falcon 2000 Platform

Dassault started with the original Falcon 2000 platform, one of the most popular and successful Falcons ever. Then it optimised its strengths to create the Falcon 2000S. The 2000S satisfies all the requirements of a modern business jet at a significantly lower cost. It has redesigned wings, enhanced engines, an advanced cockpit and improved maintenance features.

The 2000S has a range of 6,200 km. It is a large cabin jet without high cabin costs, offering more aircraft at a cost of operation normally associated with smaller jets. With its certified altitude of 47,000 ft and its power to climb directly to 41,000 ft, it flies above most traffic and bad weather. Due to its excellent short-field capabilities, it can operate from smaller, more convenient airports. The Falcon 2000S connects business centres like Paris and Dubai, Moscow and Beijing, London and Bangor, Shannon and New York.

2000LXS for Challenging Airfields

The 2000LXS has a range of 4,000 nm and gives access to challenging airfields. In fact, no other jet in its category can operate from so many airports and deliver so much range. It can land at over 90 per cent of its maximum take-off weight. Twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PW308C turbofans power the Falcon 2000LXS. The interior of the 2000LXS is amazing. The company has trimmed another two decibels from one of aviation’s quietest cabins. The company provides cabin interior that is functional, ergonomic and very personal. It has added FalconCabin HD+ the newest version of elegant, intuitive cabin management and entertainment system. FalconCabin HD+ introduces audio/video on demand and a greater level of connectivity with the devices one uses every day. The system provides high definition viewing on monitors measuring up to 22 inches and functions that can be controlled from anywhere in the aircraft via an iPod Touch or iPhone.

Popular Falcon 900

The latest in the immensely popular Falcon 900 series, this largecabin trijet stands alone in its class for performance, comfort and efficiency. Since its inception, more than 500 Falcon 900 aircraft have been delivered, each generation refining and building on the strengths of the previous, establishing an industry benchmark for longevity, durability, reliability and long-term value retention. Compared with earlier Falcon 900s, the 900LX delivers a range of 8,800 km and consumes less fuel. Three Honeywell TFE731-60 engines power the 900LX.

In addition to allowing a large cabin within a compact fuselage, it lowers critical speeds for safer landings and superior short-field agility. It is more manoeuvrable on the tarmac, requires less hangar space and it provides greater peace of mind and more direct routing over the oceans.

Most Advanced Flight Deck

The EASy II flight deck dramatically improves crew coordination and situational awareness, presenting everything from flight planning and automated checklists to the aircraft’s precise position, situation and environment through an innovative graphical interface that allows pilots to work ‘eyes up’. Its head-up display incorporates an Enhanced Flight Vision System using infrared sensing to improve visibility.

The 900LX cabin measures six feet and two inches in height and is seven feet eight inches wide – dimensions that translate into easy stand-up, walk-about comfort. At 33 feet two inches, the cabin’s length gives distinct lounge areas for work, rest and relaxation. While the 900LX typically seats 12 to 14 passengers, it can be configured to make up to six comfortable berths.

5X, the Biggest, Most Advanced Falcon Yet

The 5X has a six-foot, six-inch cabin height, the tallest in business aviation; a wider cabin than previous Falcons; a top speed of 0.9 Mach; a range of 5,200 nautical miles and the short-field capability of much smaller jets. Above all, it is said to have the lowest fuel consumption in its category.

It has the most advanced fly-by-wire system. The ultra-efficient Silvercrest engines extract maximum power. The Falcon 5X connects the most frequented international city pairs, nonstop. With a balanced field length of 5,035 ft with eight passengers and the ability to use much shorter airfields, the Falcon 5X can access significantly more airports than its competitors.

The Falcon 5X can climb directly to 41,000 feet, which often helps Air Traffic Control provide more direct routings. During typical cruise altitudes of 43,000 to 47,000 ft on long range missions, the aircraft will often be above the Jetstream in air that is usually silky smooth.

Falcon 7X, Benchmark for Modern Businessjet

From its inception, the Falcon 7X was destined to be a revolutionary aircraft, introducing business aviation to the industry’s first Digital Flight Control System which gives more precise handling and reduces workload, thus improving safety.

THE FALCON 7X WOULD BECOME THE FIRST BUSINESS JET TO USE FIGHTER JET TECHNOLOGY WITH AN ELEGANT, WHISPER-QUIET EXECUTIVE CABIN

The 7X would become the first business jet to use fighter jet technology with an elegant, whisper-quiet executive cabin. Today, over 200 Falcon 7X aircraft are in service in 32 countries. The fleet has performed some 2,50,000 flight hours and presents excellent dispatch reliability. Now a mature and proven aircraft platform, the Falcon 7X is still the most advanced — still the business jet benchmark for the 21st century.

And with fuel consumption 15-30 per cent lower than other jets in its class, it dramatically lowers operating costs. The Falcon 7X is designed to fly 11,019 km, linking city pairs such as Paris-Tokyo, Shanghai-Seattle, New York-Jeddah, and Johannesburg-London, with eight passengers and three crew. Delivering 6,400 pounds of thrust each, three Pratt & Whitney Canada PW307A turbofans power the 7X to new levels of performance and efficiency.

Falcon 8X, Going Further

The Falcon 8X, is the latest which can fly you farther, in greater comfort and with even more efficiency. Its ultra-long range connects Hong Kong and Paris, London and Cape Town, Los Angeles and Beijing. Its cabin, the longest in the Falcon family, provides more comfort and a stunning choice of more than 30 distinct layouts. The 8X is every bit as fuel efficient as the Falcon 7X. The Falcon 8X continues Falcon traditions of efficiency, performance, flexibility and comfort, while saving millions in total life-cycle costs.

Falcon 8X direct operating costs are as much as 35 per cent lower than those of competing jets. At 6,722 pounds, these enhanced Pratt & Whitney Canada turbofans deliver five per cent more thrust with lower fuel consumption. With 11,945 km range and outstanding short-field performance, the 8X links important city pairs non-stop and accesses 500 more airports in the US alone than its competitors. Steep approach angles and strong climb-out gradients are no problem for the Falcon 8X. Nor are hot and high conditions. And it delivers superior range from both. It is the only ultra-long range business jet that can use London city’s 3,934-foot runway. And after take-off, it can fly non-stop to Dubai or New York.

Final Stages

The Falcon 8X is entering the final stages of its flight test and certification programme as work proceeds to prepare the ultra-long range trijet for initial delivery. The FAA and EASA certification of the 8X is expected by mid-year and entry into service by late summer. The cold soak trials were conducted at Ranken Inlet, Nunavut, on the Northwestern shore of Canada’s Hudson Bay recently. The Falcon 8X s/n 03 has now begun a global test campaign to demonstrate aircraft operational reliability and performance in different conditions of flight. The month-long campaign will take the aircraft through Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North and South America and include more than 60 missions of various lengths representing the extremes of what Falcon 8X customers might expect to face during their aircraft’s operational life.