By Ben Forrest | October 31, 2016 Estimated reading time 6 minutes, 41 seconds.
Dassault Aviation’s new Falcon 8X ultra-long range trijet has earned two additional certifications since entering service less than a month ago.
The aircraft will make its first appearance with a completed interior at this year’s National Business Aviation Association Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Orlando.
The new type approvals are from Brazil and the United Arab Emirates, and come on the heels of certification by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in June.
Certification in India and other countries is expected soon, the company said in a news release.
The first Falcon 8X was handed over to Greek operator AMJet Executive at Dassault’s Bordeaux-Merignac facility on Oct. 5, 2016. It is also on track for additional deliveries to operators in a dozen countries in the coming months.
After round-the-world trials earlier this year, Dassault said the aircraft comes to market full mature for service introduction. The company said a few key performance parameters, including takeoff distance and cabin noise, have surpassed design objectives.
The noise insulation improvements engineered into the 8X make it even quieter than the Falcon 7X, which Dassault touts as the quietest business jet currently in operation.
The Falcon 8X is derived from the Falcon 7X and will offer the greatest range and the longest cabin of any Falcon, allowing it to fly nonstop from Beijing to New York, Hong Kong to London or Los Angeles to Moscow, the company said.
Modernized Falcon 900LX
Dassault has also unveiled a modernized Falcon 900LX large-cabin trijet with a sleek, stylish cabin and new features to offer passengers a level of flying comfort and efficiency the company said matches the tastes and requirements of today’s business jet owners.
The fully redesigned cabin offers substantially reduced noise levels and new cabin and cockpit features, including a vacuum toilet system, new connectivity services, Dassault’s proprietary Falcon Eye combined vision system and a new Dassault-designed integrated electronic flight bag (EFB) solution.
“The new Falcon LX further modernizes what has become the most legendary family of business jets ever produced,” said Eric Trappier, chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation.
“We’re bringing to market a proven and tested platform with an advanced contemporary interior and cutting edge cabin and cockpit enhancements.”
The new cabin design for the Falcon 900X features uninterrupted, flowing lines that are intended to de-clutter the cabin and enhance the feeling of space, maximizing passenger comfort during flight.
Also included is a new LED mood lighting system that produces both high-quality traditional white light and a selection of programmable mood lighting.
The aircraft also has a vacuum toilet and advanced acoustical insulation systems. The new acoustics are derived from the Falcon 8X and reduce cabin noise by two decibels.
Also featured is the latest in flight technology, including the Falcon Eye combined vision system and a new integrated EFB solution: Falcon Sphere II.
Falcon Eye is the first head-up display (HUD) system to blend synthetic, database-driven terrain mapping and enhanced thermal/low light images into a single view, providing what the company said is “unprecedented situational awareness” to flight crews in all types of operating service.
Falcon Sphere II
Dassault unveiled Falcon Sphere II at NBAA-BACE on Oct. 31, a solution it said will greatly reduce the time and effort necessary to prepare and manage business jet missions while moving operators ever- closer to a paperless cockpit.
Falcon Sphere II draws on experience from earlier model EFBs deployed on over 350 Falcons, as well as extensive customer feedback, the company said.
It consists of a Dassault-designed second generation software suite embedded in a lightweight, ultra-thin electronic portable display.
Falcon Sphere II comes with a series of new apps that can be automatically downloaded and updated from the new Falcon App store and managed through a user-friendly, highly intuitive interface on the Falcon portal.
The system includes two easily removable touch screen electronic display units mounted on either side of the cockpit for in-flight and ground use.
It also features an optional, Dassault-designed mobile tablet device that allows the flight crew to prepare missions away from the aircraft while leaving the EFB onboard.
Falcon Sphere II is being offered as an option on the new Falcon 8X as well as Falcon 900LX and 2000 Series aircraft.
Executive changes
Dassault also announced it recently elevated Olivier Villa to the position of executive vice-president, Civil Aircraft.
Carlos Brana was appointed senior vice-president, Civil Aircraft and will act as Villa’s deputy. John Rosanvallon will continue to serve as president and CEO of Dassault Aviation’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Dassault Falcon Jet.
“Olivier’s leadership will be critical to the company’s competitiveness and our ability to deliver a world-class customer service experience in the coming years,” said Eric Trappier, chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation.
“And Carlos’ global vision and previous sales experience are an ideal fit for Olivier’s team.”
Planning for tomorrow
Villa, Rosanvallon and Trappier all spoke at a press conference on Oct. 31 at NBAA-BACE, pointing to a series of challenges facing business aviation.
But they also pointed to a few bright spots that Trappier said promise to put Dassault in a good position when the market turns around.
Trappier pointed to the advanced technology of the Falcon 8X and spoke about progress with the Falcon 5X, which Dassault bills as the biggest, most advanced Falcon yet.
The first deliveries of the Falcon 5X are expected in 2020.
Trappier called it a “truly ambitious undertaking.”
Later in the press conference, Trappier said he doesn’t think it’s easy to say when a market recovery will take place, but added he’s sure it is going to come.
“We are preparing for the future,” he said.
