Dassault Aviation brought two Falcon Jets to ABACE 2018, both its latest model fly-by-wire jets, the three-engine 7X and 8X. Late last year Dassault delivered the first 8X to a Chinese operator, and with its 6,450 nm range the jet has been flying trips to the U.S., the Middle East, India, and in China.
China is now the second-largest market for the 7X, after the U.S., and there are nearly 40 of the type now operating in the country, 20 of which were delivered in the past five years. With range of 5,950 nm, the 7X can fly travelers from Shanghai directly to many Asia-Pacific destinations, most of Europe and the western U.S.
For buyers seeking the latest technology, Dassault’s recently unveiled twin-engine 6X will offer a maximum range of 5,500 nm and a spacious ultra widebody 8 ft, 6 in (2.6 meter) wide cabin, with a 78 inch (1.98 meter) width at floor level.
Powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PurePower PW812D engines, the 6X will be able to cruise at up to Mach .90 but also offers an approach speed of 109 knots, allowing for excellent runway performance at airports throughout the world. The range capability allows flights from Shanghai to Amsterdam, Riyadh, Melbourne, and San Francisco. With a “whisper-quiet” cabin, the 6X’s cabin altitude will be 3,900 feet when flying at 41,000 feet. The 6X will have a unique feature for business jets, a skylight that enables natural light to shine into the galley area.
First flight of the 6X is planned for 2021, followed by entry-into-service in 2022.
With its wider cabin, the 6X could be the first of a new family of Dassault business jets. Dassault chairman Eric Trappier has already said that the company plans to launch another model with even longer range capability.
For Chinese operators, low visibility is a frequent issue at some airports, and Dassault’s FalconEye combined vision system head-up display enables pilots to land in the most challenging conditions. FalconEye combines both synthetic vision and enhanced vision on the head-up display so pilots can maintain situational awareness in all phases of flight while looking at the head-up display combiner and through the front windshield. The 8X can also be equipped with dual FalconEye head-up display systems, one for each pilot.
Dassault’s customer service capabilities continue to grow in China. This includes a new office for the Beijing Falcon customer service headquarters and Dassault’s authorized service center at Beijing Capital Airport for 7X line and unscheduled maintenance. The Shanghai Hawker Pacific facility at Hongqiao Airport offers maintenance services for all Falcon types registered in China, Hong Kong, Macau, the Isle of Man, Bermuda, the U.S., and the Cayman Islands.
Falcon spare parts in China are worth more than $30 million, and this stock is part of Falcon spares depots in the Asia-Pacific region that provide access to the top 3,000 high-demand parts needed to keep the Falcon fleet flying. Dassault has also added more inventory to its tooling rental pool.
