The Falcon 2000, which can be configured for eight passengers and offers a range of up to 4,125 nm is complemented by the Falcon 50 which has nine passenger capability and a range of around 3,267 nm.

The Falcon 2000 was designed to attract clients seeking maintenance and operating economics benefits. CFE, a partnership of General Electric and AlliedSignal, developed the CFE738 engine for the 2000 whose fuselage is 6 ft 6 ins shorter than that of the 900.

The Dassault Falcon 50 was developed for long range transatlantic and transcontinental flights. Key features include three 16.6kN Garrett TFE731 turbofans. These have been installed in place of the Falcon 20's two General Electric CF700s and there is a new supercritical wing of greater area than that on the 20 and 200.

The best testimonial for Dassault from the EBAN readership survey comes for the Falcon 2000 from Martinet Guy. "Falcon jets offer the best price to performance ratio on the market. I can only praise their qualities and suggest that operators try them," he says. But he adds: "The most desirable upgrade is adding winglets to get those extra miles. That's exactly what the Falcon 2000 LX will offer. It will be a winner for sure."

Guy is very satisfied with maintenance support and dispatch reliability. "There hasn't been a single cancelled or delayed flight in the past two-and-a-half years and I am very satisfied with the operating capability and value," he says. "The best aspects are the flexibility, reliability, and low fuel consumption. But it does lack around 200 nm of range that would make eastbound transatlantic flights from Switzerland more comfortable."

Capt Eduard Meisel of Jetalliance Flugbetriebs AG is very unhappy with the maintenance support and Dassault client service. But he says: "It is a good aircraft for pilots with perfect take off and landing performance and I am satisfied with the value and very satisfied with the dispatch reliability and operating capability."

However Capt Steve Billett of CTC Aviation Jet Services Ltd reports that the early dispatch experience was very poor with many system and component failures. Now, he says, he is very satisfied with the dispatch reliability. He is also satisfied with the maintenance support and value and very satisfied with the operating capability.

"The best aspect is the performance and cabin space and quality and the worst thing is understanding the EASy flight deck. There is a need for better pilot training to avoid misunderstandings that impact on operations."

Interjet SA reports that is is very satisfied with the maintenance support, dispatch reliability and operating capability of the Falcon 2000 EX EASy and impressed by the technology, range and cabin width. Another respondent, who wanted to remain anonymous, said that he was satisfied with the maintenance support, dispatch reliability, operating capability and value. "The best aspect is that the passenger load and baggage capabilities are matched but the most desirable upgrade is improved on board entertainment packages."

Alexander Gerkin of Ikaros Aviation AVV is very satisfied with the maintenance support, dispatch reliability and operating capability and satisfied with the value of what he describes as a "strong aircraft."

Kenan Pacaci of Park Havacilik is very satisfied with the maintenance support, dispatch reliability, operating capability and value of the Falcon 2000 LX. However Capt Paul Holroyd of Aviation Beauport Ltd would like to see better handling characteristics from the Falcon 2000 EX EASy although he is satisfied with the maintenance support, dispatch reliability and value and very satisfied with the operating capability.