Raises Range Target for Falcon 7X to 6,000 NM

The good news about 2005 continues to come in. Aero-News learned Thursday that the final sales figures for Dassault are in... and 2005 was a VERY good year for the French manufacturer.

At an analyst meeting Thursday, Chairman and CEO Charles Edelstenne announced the totals for the best year ever for Falcon business jets, with a total of 123 firm orders. This marks the first time the company sold over 100 Falcons in one year, and it came without the benefit of multiple sales to fractional providers.

Dassault Aviation's consolidated 2005 sales were 3.43 billion Euros -- just over $4 billion USD -- with Falcon jets accounting for 48 % of total consolidated sales.

"The year 2005 represents a high mark in the history of the Falcon program," said Edelstenne. "And demand is strong worldwide. Traditionally, about 60 percent of our sales have come from the US. This year, that percentage will be about 50 percent."

"It's not a sign of a weakening market in the US," Edelstenne added, "but a sign of strengthening demand globally."

Growth was particularly strong in Western Europe, Russia, Ukraine as well as countries in the Middle East. Brazil and South America continued to show strength especially with the Falcon 2000EX and Falcon 7X. The first ever sale of a new Falcon in China took place in late December, when Citic purchased a Falcon 900DX (file photo of type, above). Citic is the largest state owned financial services holding company in China.

At the end of 2005, Dassault had a total backlog of more than 200 aircraft. More than 60 aircraft will be delivered in 2006 compared to 51 in 2005. A similar delivery rate increase is planned for 2007.

"Over the past several years as the price of oil has steadily risen, we've seen an increased interest in Falcons around the world," said John Rosanvallon, President and CEO of Dassault Falcon. "The substantial fuel efficiency advantage, in some cases over 30%, offered by Falcons has added immeasurably to the success of our sales efforts."

A Year of Milestones

Dassault also reports that 2005 saw a number of milestones in several Falcon programs.

• The Falcon 7X flew for the first time on May 5th. Three airplanes are now involved in the flight test program that is expected to last 1,200 hours. One-third of this program has been completed, with 450 flight hours and 150 flights performed. The flight envelope has been fully opened. Speeds up to Mach 0.92 have been achieved and the aircraft has reached 51,000 feet. Over 80 copies of the 7X have been sold making it the most successful Dassault Falcon aircraft at this point in the life of the program.

• On May 13, the Falcon 900DX (below) flew for the first time. Announced in May 2004, the airplane achieved both EASA and FAA certification in October 2005 with deliveries starting shortly after. The Falcon 900DX has achieved strong global demand and 15 aircraft are currently in various stages of production.

• Following on the strength of the 900DX program, the Falcon 2000DX was announced at the NBAA convention in Orlando, Florida. The 2000DX will climb to 41,000 feet in 17 minutes with a range of 3,250 nm and will have the same spacious cabin as the Falcon 2000EX. The design phase of the 2000DX has been completed with the first aircraft in the early stage of production. It will replace the very popular Falcon 2000 in late 2007 when deliveries begin.

• Also announced at NBAA were design improvements for the 7X that could increase the range from 5,700 nm to 6,000 nm. The payload capacity of the 7X has also been increased by 50%. Additional fuel tanks have been installed in the forward section. Testing on the landing gear, brakes and airframe strength have been performed and validated.

Final specification and performance figures for the 7X will be communicated to customers in the coming months after new performances flight tests with all three modified aircraft are performed. Certification flight tests will start early second quarter of this year. The anti-icing and cold weather campaigns will take place in March and April. Certification is expected to take place in early 2007 with first deliveries beginning shortly after.

FMI: www.falconjet.com