Dassault Falcon 8X in the spotlight at MEBAA 2018

Ultra-long range Falcon 8X, new Falcon 6X driving Middle East sales.

Dassault Aviation will highlight its ultra-long range Falcon 8X and new Falcon 6X ultra widebody twinjet at the Middle East & North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) show and exhibition, which opens on December 10th at the Dubai World Central Airport. 

The company’s Falcon 8X flagship, now nearing its second year in service in the Middle East, will be on display during the three-day event. 

Large cabin Falcons -the 6,450 nm/11,945 km 8X and the 5,950 nm/11,020 km 7X, from which the 8X is derived-now make up nearly one third of the 75 Falcons operating in the region and account for almost half of new Falcon deliveries. 

This trend is expected to accelerate with the introduction of the all new, ultra widebody Falcon 6X, which will offer more cabin volume than any other business jet in its category. This revolutionary 5,500 nm/10,186 km aircraft has already received a significant number of orders from the Middle East. Development of the 6X recently entered the detail design phase and the program is on track for initial deliveries in 2022. Visitors will be able to experience virtual reality demonstrations of the 6X cabin at the Dassault chalet. 

"Operators in the Middle East highly value the performance, flexibility, robustness and innovative features of our large cabin models, which draw heavily on advanced technologies inherited from Dassault’s fighter programs," said Gilles Gautier, Vice President, Falcon Sales for Dassault Aviation. "This is particularly true of newer models like the Falcon 8X, which offers the best combination of range, cabin comfort and operating efficiency of any aircraft in its class." 

"The regional market improved last year and we anticipate a good market in 2019 and going forward," continued Gautier. "The region also offers significant replacement opportunities." 

Falcon 8X the new ultra-long range standard 

The Falcon 8X can fly nonstop from New York to Dubai, Dubai to Adelaide and Jeddah to São Paulo, yet easily access short runway airports like London City, Gstaad and Lugano in Switzerland and Cannes, France that are typically off limits to big business jets. 

The 8X offers the quietest and brightest cabin in business aviation, along with a broad selection of standard cabin configurations, including a forward VIP lounge that can easily be converted into a certified crew rest for very long flights. Its industry-leading digital flight control system ensures unrivalled flying agility and stability, providing an ultra-smooth and relaxing flight. 

The 8X is available with a wide range of state-of-the-art options, including Dassault’s revolutionary FalconEye Combined Vision System, the first Head-Up Display to combine synthetic and enhanced vision capabilities, and FalconConnect, a new inflight connectivity service that integrates all cockpit and cabin ground and satellite communications into a single bundled offering, making onboard connectivity systems easy to use and consumption simple to manage and control. 

FalconEye was recently granted FAA/EASA certification allowing low visibility approaches with 100 foot minima, an enhancement that provides customers with a significant operational benefit and greatly improves access to airports in bad weather conditions. 

Falcon 6X – the new benchmark for cabin size and comfort 

The highly anticipated Falcon 6X will comfortably link Dubai directly to destinations throughout Africa, Europe and Asia. 

The 6X cabin will offer 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) of headroom and a width of 8 ft 6 in (2.58 m), more than any purpose-built business jet. It will accommodate 12-16 passengers in three separate lounge areas and offer multiple layout configurations, including a large entryway, a crew rest area, and a spacious rear lounge affording greater privacy, especially on long, overnight flights. 

The 6X will be equipped with a string of innovative design features, including a new ultra-efficient wing and a new-generation Digital Flight Control System that commands all flight control surfaces, including slats and flaps, reducing pilot workload and increasing performance and safety. The DFCS will feature a novel device called a flaperon, derived from fighter applications, that enhances lift and roll control, especially during approaches with a steep descent profile. It will also integrate nose-wheel steering for safer runway handling in strong cross-winds or on wet runways. 

The aircraft will be powered by PW812D engines, based on proven core technology already employed in 16 different Pratt & Whitney Canada PurePower® engine applications. The PW812D development engines are currently performing bench and flight tests with more engines in preparation as the program evolves. 

Reinforced Product Support Network 

Dassault continues investing in the Gulf region to improve and expand its product support network. It recently opened a new engineering office in Cairo to support the growing number of Falcons operating in the region. Falcon customers can also rely on an Authorized Service Center, spares distribution center and regional sales office in Dubai and an Authorized Service Center 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. 

Middle East customers also benefit from Falcon Response, Dassault’s comprehensive AOG support service offering. Designed to whisk spare parts, repair tools and GoTeam specialists around the globe 24/7 in the event of an aircraft on ground situation, FalconResponse is supported by two dedicated Falcon 900 aircraft that customers can also use for alternative lift – an industry first.