Dassault Aviation has stolen the limelight on the eve of this year's NBAA convention by taking the wraps off the biggest Falcon business jet yet. The long range, large cabin Falcon 5X twinjet boasts a wider fuselage cross-section than the three-engined 7X and is capable of accomodating up to 16 passengers. Carrying eight passengers, the all-new aircraft will have a range of 5,200nm (9,360km).
“The Falcon 5X is the new benchmark for the creative use of advanced technology in business aviation,” says Eric Trappier, chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation. “Using design and manufacturing software and systems pioneered by Dassault, we have been able to build a larger, more comfortable and more capable aircraft that is also more environmentally friendly and much more economical to operate compared to other aircraft in its class.
He adds: "The Falcon 5X represents our biggest investment since the beginning of the Falcon programmes."
Dassault says the 5X offers the largest cabin cross section of any purpose-built business jet. The new jet has a cabin height of 1.98m, and can connect Los Angeles with London, Sao Paulo with Chicago, Johannesburg with Geneva or Paris with Beijing.
Dassault Aviation
The aircraft’s digital flight control system integrates all moving control surfaces for the first time, including a "flaperon" that enables steep approaches at slow speeds. It also integrates nose wheel steering for safer runway handling in strong crosswind conditions and on wet or slick runways.
Honeywell will provide the 5X with a new generation EASy all-digital cockpit, which will feature head-up display technology provided by Elbit Systems.
The aircraft will be powered by Snecma's Silvercrest engine, marking the first time a Falcon has been launched with an all-new engine, or powered by a French engine.
Priced at approximately $45 million, the Falcon 5X is scheduled to make its first flight in the first quarter of 2015 and to achieve certification before the end of 2016.
Registered users can view our exclusive report of the Dassault 5X on the FG Club, including:
- A fresh approach to the design of the Dassault 5X interior
- The Falcon 5X’s new-generation wing
- More spacious cockpit design
- Snecma's Silvercrest will power the 5X
- The assembly of this new aircraft
- Dassault Falcon 5X cutaway
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Source: FlightGlobal.com
