Dassault to power up its all-new long-range business jet's systems within days
Dassault has completed final assembly of the all-new Falcon 7X long-range business jet at its Merignac plant, near Bordeaux, France, and expects to power up the aircraft's systems within days.
The company admits that sales of the long-range business jet, which have remained at "slightly above 40 aircraft" for several months, have stagnated because the 7X is sold out until the second half of 2008. "We've never seen this kind of sales performance so early in a new aircraft programme," says Dassault chairman Charles Edelstenne. "But it means new customers have to wait until then before they can get a delivery slot."
Dassault says three quarters of orders have come from the USA, dismissing concern that France's stance on the Iraq war may have dented Falcon sales. The aircraft is pitched against the Bombardier Global Express and Gulfstream G550.
First flight is set for early 2005. "We're shooting for March", says deputy programme director, Vincent Oldrati. Deliveries will begin at the end of 2006, following a three-aircraft flight test programme and certification in October 2006. All aircraft on order will have been delivered by 2008 and production is set initially at one aircraft a month "but this will grow rapidly as we gain experience", says Oldrati.
Dassault assembled the first aircraft in seven months, a record for the company and the result of its move to a "virtual mockup", containing a digital model of the entire aircraft, down to brackets and fasteners, which has eliminated the need for a wooden mockup and a prototype aircraft.
JULIAN MOXON / BORDEAUX
Source: Flight International
