Alan Peaford
Serge Dassault, the enigmatic chairman of the French aerospace firm that bears his name, arrived in Singapore on board his company's Falcon 900EX demonstrator, keeping up the proud record of having attended every Asian Aerospace show.
Dassault steps down as chairman of the group in April - on his 75th birthday - but continues to head the family's trust company which keeps a controlling interest in the military and business jet manufacturer.
He hands the chairmanship of Dassault Aviation to Charles Edelstenne, the current executive vice-president of economic and financial affairs, in the knowledge that the Falcon, as Europe's premier business jet, is continuing to grow in both numbers and reputation.
Exciting
A total of 72 new Falcon business jets were sold worldwide by Dassault during 1999, and the new millennium looks filled with exciting prospects. When added to the 173 new Falcon sales previously reported for the years 1997 and 1998, this raises the companies' three-year order book to more than 240. The current order backlog exceeds 120 aircraft valued at nearly $3 billion.
"Singapore is one of the most important events on our calendar," says John Rosanvallon, president of Dassault Falcon Jet.
There has been much interest at the show in the newest model of the Dassault Falcon range, the Falcon 900C, which the French describe as the perfect blend of performance, range, cabin comfort and modern avionics.
The aircraft combines some of the finest features of Dassault's Falcon 900B (which it has replaced), with the advanced avionics of the longer-range Falcon 900EX, and is an intercontinental jet with a range of 7,400km (4,000nm), a generous widebody cabin, and a new generation cockpit.
Dassault's newest business jet model was certified by the FAA last August, just two months after it obtained certification from the French DGAC. The first two units have been already been delivered to corporate operators in the US.
"Falcon 900EX operators really like the ergonomics of this cockpit," says Olivier Villa, vice-president of Falcon Programmes. "The Primus 2000 system allows excellent integration of the various functions, plus a lot of maintenance advantages. We are convinced that this development will ensure the continued success of a key member in today's Falcon family."
"If a customer doesn't happen to need the Falcon 900EX's full nonstop range of 4,500nm, the less expensive 900C with almost all the same features and 4,000nm of range is a logical choice," says Rosanvallon,
Dassault believes that outside appearances do not matter where size is concerned. "Surprisingly, although the Falcon 900C is externally smaller than the Gulfstream IV-SP, its cabin actually offers more usable space," says Rosanvallon. By "usable space," Dassault refers to the length, width and height of the passenger seating zone, excluding galleys, lavatories, closets, etc. Maximising usable space is the key to comfort and productivity, especially on long, intercontinental flights.
Range
Falcon 900Cs can be configured to seat up to 19 passengers, but are more typically outfitted to accommodate 12 to 15 passengers in more spacious comfort.
With a nonstop cruising range of 5,600km (4,000nm), the Falcon 900C is capable of reaching any point in the world quickly, safely and efficiently. For a typical maximum distance mission, a Falcon 900C taking off at 20,600kg (45,500lb) ie, five passengers, three crew and full fuel) would require a balanced field length of only 1,500m (4,900ft).
Dassault argues that low operating costs represent yet another plus for the aircraft. The new Falcon 900C's fuel-saving design and its broad warranty protection enable it to operate for less cost than its main competitor, which has only two engines.
Dassault is confident that by the time the next Singapore airshow comes around the Falcon 900C will be a regular visitor to the region.
Source: Flight Daily News
