Dassault Announces Ultra Long Range Falcon 8X
Dassault Aviation launched the Falcon 8X, the newest addition to the Falcon family in the ultra long range category. The Falcon 8X will offer a range of 6,450 nm (11,945 km) and will feature the longest cabin of any Falcon. Moreover, it will offer the same low operating economics and the remarkable operating flexibility for which all Falcons are known.
The Longest Falcon Ever
“The Falcon 8X will be the longest cabin of any Falcon. But, more importantly, it will feature the highest level of customization of any large cabin business jet on the market,” said Eric Trappier, Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO.
Indeed, the Falcon 8X cabin will be 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) high and 7 ft 8 in (2.34 m) wide and 42 ft 8 in (13 m) long, enabling it to offer customers the most diverse selection of cabin layouts on the market. More than 30 configurations will be available.
Three galley sizes, two with a crew-rest option, are available. Operators will have an extensive selection of passenger seating areas of varying lengths that can support different lavatory layouts, including a lavatory with shower.
“It builds on Dassault expertise in aerodynamics, in precision design and manufacturing, and in advanced digital flight controls. It embodies the best of Falcons that have come before with the most capability of any Falcon ever,” said Trappier.
Legendary Falcon Performance
The Falcon 8X will be equipped with three PW307D engines delivering 6,722 lbs of thrust each – a 5% increase compared to the PW307A that powers the Falcon 7X. Therefore, with eight passengers and three crew, the Falcon 8X will be capable of flying 6,450 nm non-stop at M.80. These new engines will also make the 8X up to 35% more fuel efficient than any other aircraft in the ultra-long range segment and offer a significant reduction in community noise and NOx emissions.
Moreover, the Falcon 8X will also be fitted with a redesigned ultra-efficient wing derived from the Falcon 7X. The wing structure has been redesigned to minimize the overall aircraft drag during cruise while achieving a 600 lb weight saving. It will also feature optimized leading edge profile and winglets. These improvements are expected to increase significantly the lift to drag ratio.
Like the Falcon 7X, the Falcon 8X will be capable of approaches up to 6 degrees, allowing it to serve challenging airports such as London City Airport; Aspen, Colorado; La Mole (Saint-Tropez), France; and Saanen (Gstaad), Switzerland that are normally not accessible to most large cabin aircraft. With its 6,450 nm range, the Falcon 8X will be also able to perform an extensive list of one-leg missions such as Beijing to New York, Hong Kong to Seattle, Paris to Singapore and Sao Paulo to Moscow.
Finally, the Falcon 8X will be equipped with a totally redesigned cockpit modeled after the Falcon 5X. It will feature a new generation of the EASy flight deck equipped with a head-up display that combines synthetic and enhanced vision and offer a dual HUD capability.
First flight is expected in early 2015 with certification in the middle of 2016 and initial deliveries before the end of 2016.
