“We’re now in mid-2002 and have finalised the general configuration of the aircraft. We are close to a finalised wind tunnel test, have the general definition of the airframe and we’ve selected our partners,” so said Dassault Aviation’s vice-chairman Bruno Revellin-Falcoz about the latest developments regarding the 7X.

The Falcon 7X’s development involves 18 companies, working together in a co-operative organisation called the ‘plateau’. Based at the company’s headquarters in Saint-Cloud, France, the risk-sharing partners will work together in the same office for the next year. Revellin-Falcoz explained: “Dassault’s history has included several path changes and the 7X is again quite a challenge, due to the fact that there are a number of brand new features. These include new aerodynamics, a new structural design, new engines and a new

flight deck.

“Some years ago, when we were close to delivering serial number 1500 of the Falcon, we decided we should improve the business jet family at our company. The current models cover ranges up to 4,500 nautical miles, but we felt there was large market opening for distances greater than this. So we decided upon the Falcon 7X should be the new product, with a range of 5,700 nautical miles.”

Dassault has discovered that one of the main challenges has been keeping the eventual price of the aircraft down. The aircraft is currently offered for sale at $37 million. “Today we know it’s not enough to simply have a very good product, the price must also be very competitive on the market. We basically need to produce a 5,700 nautical mile aircraft for eight passengers at a low price,” said Revellin-Falcoz.

The current schedule includes having the first flight of the aircraft in early 2005, with certification approval in 2006 followed by the first deliveries in the same year. The company is confident that there will be a strong market response to the 7X. “Right after the initial announcement of the aircraft we had dozens of customers coming to us asking to sign letters of intent. More recently we have transformed these letters of intent into firm orders.

“So far those who have placed firm orders for the Falcon 7X are current Falcon owners, but we know that we will soon have customers changing over from other manufacturers. It is certainly good to know that even before the certification date we have dozens of firm orders,” said Revellin-Falcoz.

The vice president doesn't believe the aircraft currently has any direct competition. Development is predicted to be less than $300 million overall, and the company is very confident that development will stay in line with the initial figures. “In the future, the 7X which is a three engine aircraft may lead on to a new family of aircraft. We may also address the question of the super sonic business jet. Dassault has never stopped working on this idea, although at the moment it is just at the research level. One day though we are sure that there will be customers for this aircraft and we will be in a position to handle the technology. But again mastering the economics will be a challenge and our team is working towards the day when we can offer it.

“I don’t have a crystal ball to determine when the conditions will be right to make the decision, but it will certainly be something like ten years,” he added.