Manufacturer says Falcon 900DX will be cost-efficient compromise, with longer range and faster rate of climb than 900C
Dassault will unveil at this week's European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition in Geneva, Switzerland a new business jet designed to plug the gap between the Falcon 2000EX and Falcon 900EX large cabin types, and to be pitched against the Gulfstream G350.
The Falcon 900DX is a defuelled 900EX powered by three Honeywell TFE-731-60s and equipped with the same Dassault EASy flightdeck as its faster stablemate. The DX offers increased performance over the 900C, which it replaces. The range of the DX is 7,580km (4,100nm) with eight passengers, 370km more than its predecessor. At long-range cruise speed the 900DX will burn around 40% less fuel than its nearest competitor, the manufacturer claims.
The DX's time to climb to 39,000ft (12,000m) is 5min faster than the 900C at 18min. The DX's impressive short-field performance will enable the aircraft to access small high-altitude airports such as Aspen, Colorado and San Moritz in France, from which large cabin types were previously excluded, Dassault says.
The French manufacturer says the DX is a "good compromise" for people who are looking for a cost-efficient large cabin aircraft, but do not need the long range of the 900EX.
The DX will begin ground testing in the first quarter of next year, leading to first flight in June and European Aviation Safety Agency and US certification in the third quarter. First deliveries are scheduled for the end of 2005. The price of the DX will be "roughly" the same as for the 900C, Dassault says.
KATE SARSFIELD / LONDON
Source: Flight International
