Dassault Aviation will present its expanding line of large-cabin long range Falcon business jets at the MEBAA Show, which runs from December 6 to 8 in Dubai, UAE.

The presentation will include Dassault’s recently introduced ultra-long range Falcon 8X, which is making its first showing in the Middle East, and the popular 4,000 nm/7,410 km Falcon 2000LXS twinjet.

The first Falcon 8X delivery to a Gulf customer took place in mid-November, following its certification by the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

“The delivery of a Falcon 8X to a regional operator – barely a month after the entry into service of the first aircraft – says a lot about the important role the Middle East is expected to play in the success of our new flagship,” said Renaud Cloatre, International Sales Director for the Middle East Region. “The aircraft’s first showing at the MEBAA Show in Dubai is also anticipated to generate a great deal of excitement among Gulf operators.”

Like the Falcon 7X, Dassault’s most popular offering in the region, the 8X is expected to be a big seller in the region, where operators value the exceptional combination of range, cabin comfort and operating efficiency. The Middle East Falcon fleet has nearly doubled in the last 7 years to over 70 aircraft, and continues to grow despite the softness of the current global market.

The 6,450 nm/11,945 km Falcon 8X was certified by EASA and the FAA in June and entered service on October 5. In addition to the UAE, the 8X was also recently approved by the civil aviation authorities in Brazil and will soon gain Chinese approval as well.


KEY FEATURES

The Falcon 8X comes to the market with fully mature system capabilities demonstrated during a month long global proving trial campaign earlier this year. A few key performance parameters, such as take off distance and cabin noise, have even surpassed design objectives. In fact, the soundproofing improvements engineered into the 8X make it even quieter than the Falcon 7X, the industry benchmark in aircraft noise.

In addition to the quietest cabin and the most advanced digital flight control system in business aviation, the 8X features the largest selection of standard cabin configurations of any large business jet. It will be available with a wide range of cabin options, including an on-board shower; a large entryway that can serve as a fourth cabin section, notably as a full lounge bar; and a super spacious aft VIP suite.

The 8X will also come with a range of cockpit options, including Dassault’s new FalconEye Combined Vision System, the first Head Up Display to combine synthetic and enhanced vision capabilities, and a new integrated Electronic Flight Bag solution, Falcon Sphere II, that will greatly reduce the time and effort necessary to prepare and manage business jet missions.

The Falcon 8X will offer the greatest range and the longest cabin of any Falcon, allowing it to fly from New York to Dubai, Dubai to Adelaide, or Chicago to Jeddah. It will also share the 7X’s exceptional operating economy and short-field performance.

New Falcon 8X operators in the region also benefit from a full package of services put together by Dassault’s global product support organisation to assist them in taking delivery of their new Falcon. 


FALCON 2000LXS 

The 4,000 nm/7,410 km Falcon LXS, the newest addition to the 2000 line, offers a short-field capability comparable to smaller midsize and super midsize business jet models but with a far better range and comfort level. It can land at 90 per cent of its maximum takeoff weight, allowing it to hop from city to city and then leap across the ocean without having to stop and refuel, and is certified for steep approach, which permits it to serve restricted airfields like London City Airport.

The Falcon 2000LXS was recently certified for use with Dassault’s FalconEye Combined Vision System.


SUPPORT

Dassault continues investing in the Gulf to improve and expand its regional product support network. Falcon customers can rely on a service centre, spares distribution centre and regional sales office in Dubai and a service centre and technical office in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 

These regional facilities are backed up by a growing global support network staffed by some 1,700 Dassault engineers, experts and technicians. 

Customers in the region also benefit from Falcon Response, Dassault’s comprehensive new AOG (aircraft on ground) support service offering. This service is designed to whisk spare parts, repair tools and Go Team specialists 24/7 around the globe in the event of an AOG situation and is backed up by two Falcon 900 aircraft that customers can also use for alternative lift – said to be an industry first.

The MEBAA Show is held every two years and is organised by the Middle East & North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA).