Dassault’s Falcon 8X Makes Initial Appearance at LABACE

Dassault’s new flagship, the 6,450 nm Falcon 8X which was recently certified by FAA and EASA, will make its maiden appearance at the Latin American Business Aviation Association and Exhibition (LABACE) in Sao Paulo from August 30-September 1.  Entry into service in the early fourth quarter with Brazilian ANAC certification expected in the coming months.

“The Falcon 8X has broken new ground,” said Jean Rosanvallon, President and CEO of Dassault Falcon Jet.  “Brazil has shown strong demand for the Falcon 8X since we first announced the program two years ago with four of the first 20 aircraft scheduled to be delivered in here.  That’s a great sign of a Brazilian market that might be turning the corner for the better.”  The Falcon 8X has the range to connect Sao Paulo  to as far as Moscow in addition to all of the continental United States and Europe. 

Falcon 8X Global Test Campaign Success

In late April, Falcon 8X s/n 03 completed a global proving tour designed to demonstrate aircraft capabilities under different conditions of operation with a particular focus on cabin comfort and connectivity. The 65-flight 55,000 nm campaign took the aircraft to 46 destinations, from North, Central and South America to Europe, the Middle East, China and Southeast Asia. Missions varied in length, from 18 minutes to 14 hours, including ultra-long range flights from Singapore and Sao Paulo to Paris and from New York to Abu Dhabi. The aircraft experienced a full range of flight conditions, from hot weather and extreme cold (-33°C) to extra high and low humidity environments. 

A total of 26 test and operational pilots took part in the tests, along with more than 60 engineers, technicians and flight attendants.

“Feedback from the operational trials - cabin comfort, air conditioning, and in particular cabin noise - was excellent and indicate the aircraft is poised for a flawless service entry,” said Olivier Villa, Senior Vice President, Dassault Aviation Civil Aircraft. “Moreover, new innovations in aircraft insulation will allow us to further lower cabin noise compared to the Falcon 7X.”

S/n 01 will be used to certify Dassault’s revolutionary FalconEye Combined Vision System (CVS) on the 8X and to gain approval for its use in Dual Head Up Display configuration. Dassault’s FalconEye is the first HUD in the industry to blend synthetic and enhanced vision capabilities, offering unprecedented situational awareness. Its utilization in Dual HUD mode will be another first in business aviation. The two approvals are anticipated by year end and late 2017 respectively.

Production is continuing to ramp up to meet growing demand for the aircraft. Serial number 29 is currently in final assembly at the Dassault’s Mérignac production plant near Bordeaux. 15 aircraft are in the final completion phase.

8X Follows Traditions of Performance and Efficiency
Derived from the popular Falcon 7X, the ultra-long range Falcon 8X was unveiled in May 2014 at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition and first flew on February 6, 2015. The 8X will offer the greatest range and the longest cabin of any Falcon, allowing it to fly passengers comfortably from Beijing to New York, Hong Kong to London or Moscow to Los Angeles nonstop. It will also share the 7X’s exceptional operating economy and short-field performance.

In addition to the quietest cabin and the most advanced digital flight control system in business aviation, the new trijet will feature the largest selection of standard cabin configurations of any large business jet.

Dassault Aircraft Services—Sorocaba Key to Success in Brazil

Dassault Aircraft Services-Sorocaba recently placed an additional $3 million in Genuine Dassault Falcon Spares to the spare parts inventory in order to better accommodate the demands of Brazilian and other South American customers.  
The company owned Sorocaba Service Center is authorized to perform line maintenance and airframe inspections on all Falcon models except the Falcon 20 and Falcon 100. In addition, the facility is qualified to provide engine maintenance on the CFE-738, Honeywell TFE731 series engines and Pratt & Whitney Canada PW307A and PW308C models. Specialized non-destructive testing (NDT) services, such as penetrant and eddy current testing can also be performed. A full service battery shop is available to repair, replace or recharge main and emergency batteries on Falcon and other aircraft models.

Following the opening of the Sorocaba Service Center in June 2009, Dassault Falcon Jet has continued to expand the facility with increased manpower, spare parts and tooling. 

Sorocaba can dispatch an AOG team to support Falcon aircraft anywhere in South America, along with the parts and tools necessary to get the aircraft flying again with minimal delay. Dassault Falcon Jet houses over $7.5 million U.S. worth of high- usage parts in its Sao Paulo facility.

Dassault will be located at Chalet 5109 at LABACE.