Dassault Falcon 7X
| Industry | Aerospace, Defense |
|---|---|
| Founded | April 22, 1929 in France |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
| Products | Falcon 7X, Falcon 8X, Falcon 900, Falcon 2000EX |
| Website | www |
The Dassault Falcon 7X is a wide-cabin, long-range business jet developed by Dassault Aviation. Introduced at the 2001 Paris Air Show, its maiden flight took place on 5 May 2005, with entry into service following on 15 June 2007. The Falcon 8X, which began deliveries on 5 October 2016, is an evolution featuring extended range achieved through enhanced engines, aerodynamic refinements, and increased fuel capacity. Alongside the Falcon 900, the 8X remains one of the only trijet aircraft still in production.
Development
At the 2001 Paris Air Show, Dassault revealed the FNX model aimed at achieving a range of 10,500 km (5,700 nm) at Mach 0.88, surpassing the Falcon 900EX’s 8,300 km at Mach 0.84. The aircraft incorporates a newly designed high-speed wing that is longer and features a 5° greater wing sweep compared to the Falcon 900 wing. The fuselage was extended by 20%, retaining the same cabin cross-section but introducing a redesigned curved windscreen. Powered by three engines delivering a combined thrust of 18,000 lb (80 kN), options included Honeywell FX5 units or an upgraded variant of the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306. Its cockpit utilizes the EASy avionics suite based on Honeywell Primus Epic systems and includes fly-by-wire flight controls, developed previously for the Falcon 2000EX and Falcon 900EX. Initial flight was planned for 2004 with deliveries targeted for mid-2006.
Following receipt of 41 deposits, Dassault designated the aircraft as the 7X in November. The first flight was postponed from late 2004 to early 2005, and certification was delayed until mid-2006. Structural simplifications helped reduce both weight and production costs. The refined high-transonic wing design enhanced the lift-to-drag ratio by approximately 10% compared to earlier Falcons’ supercritical wings. The cabin length increased by 2.4 m (8 ft) over the Falcon 900 and maintained a lower cabin altitude of about 6,000 ft (1,800 m). The selected engine was the PW307A, with key suppliers including Honeywell (providing avionics, auxiliary power units, and air management), Parker Hannifin (responsible for power generation and wheel brakes), and TRW Aeronautical Systems (handling flap and airbrake mechanisms).
With more than fifty firm orders secured, the Falcon 7X completed its inaugural flight on 5 May 2005—a journey lasting one hour and thirty-six minutes departing from Bordeaux-Merignac. This marked the start of a comprehensive test program totaling around 1,200 hours over fifteen months. Testing included hydraulic systems, fuel management, air data collection, and landing gear operations at altitudes near 10,000 ft (3,000 m); acceleration/deceleration trials alongside autopilot and autothrottle evaluations were conducted at approximately 25,000 ft. A second Falcon joined testing in June followed by a third equipped with full interiors in September to verify endurance and cabin noise levels—aiming for a target noise threshold of 52 dB, which is about 4 dB quieter than other Falcons. Certification was postponed to late 2006 with deliveries commencing in early 2007.
The aircraft’s first public display occurred at the 2005 Paris Air Show. It received type certification from both the Federal Aviation Administration and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on 27 April 2007. The initial Falcon 7X (MSN05) officially entered operational service on 15 June that year. By November 2010, Dassault had delivered its hundredth unit. In 2014, it underwent high-altitude airport performance assessments at in Daocheng.
Price
When introduced in 2001, the Falcon 7X was priced near $35 million during preproduction—approximately $10 million less than comparable models such as the Gulfstream G550 and Bombardier Global Express within the long-range large-cabin category. Its projected price for delivery in 2004 was set about 12% above the $33 million Falcon 900EX price point, reaching $37 million by 2005 and climbing to $41 million in 2007. By 2017, its listed price had escalated to $54 million; pre-owned examples aged three to four years typically sold between $27 million and $34 million while those seven to nine years old ranged from $19 million to $24 million. Market data from Q1 of 2020 indicated that out of a fleet of approximately 289 aircraft in operation, asking prices varied between $18.5 million and $24.8 million. As of 2022, equipped pricing remained steady around $54.2 million.
Design
The Falcon 7X is a cantilever monoplane with three engines, distinguished by its low-mounted, sharply swept wing incorporating winglets—the first Falcon jet to feature this design element. It includes a mid-level horizontal stabilizer and retractable tricycle landing gear. Power is provided by three Pratt & Whitney PW307A turbofan engines positioned at the rear: two mounted on either side of the fuselage and one centered. The interior cabin can host up to 19 passengers alongside a crew of three.[1]
As Dassault’s inaugural fully fly-by-wire business aircraft, the Falcon 7X is equipped with the Honeywell Primus Epic "Enhanced Avionics System" (EASy), a suite also implemented in the Falcon 900EX and Falcon 2000EX models.
Significantly, the Falcon 7X was the first plane to be designed entirely through virtual means, utilizing Dassault Systèmes' CATIA and PLM software platforms. This digital approach streamlined development processes and shortened time-to-market.
In February 2010, Dassault Falcon partnered with BMW Designworks to earn the Good Design Award for their collaboration on a new interior configuration for the Falcon 7X. The cabin includes advanced engine mounts and isolators that suppress noise levels below 50 dBA, greatly enhancing passenger comfort. Additionally, an optional shower facility is offered, emphasizing its commitment to luxury and convenience for business travelers.[2]
Pitch trim incident
Following a report from Dassault Aviation concerning an uncontrolled pitch trim runaway during descent in May 2011, EASA temporarily grounded the Falcon 7X fleet. During this event, the aircraft’s nose pitched upward to 41 degrees, climbing from 13,000 to 22,500 feet while airspeed dropped from 300 to 125 knots. EASA issued warnings that this malfunction could potentially result in loss of control.
The initial inquiry revealed that a manufacturing flaw in the Horizontal Stabilizer Electronic Control Unit contributed to the incident. Dassault implemented corrective modifications by June 2011, enabling the aircraft to resume operations.
In June 2016, after four years of investigation, the Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses pour la Sécurité de l'Aviation Civile attributed the erroneous nose-up commands to a soldering defect on an electronic control unit pin supplied by Rockwell Collins.
Teterboro-London City record
On May 2, 2014, Dassault established a new speed benchmark for the Falcon 7X by completing a flight from New York’s Teterboro Airport to London City Airport in just 5 hours and 54 minutes.
Falcon 8X
Introduced at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in May 2014, the Falcon 8X offers an extended range compared to its predecessor. Its cabin length exceeds that of the Falcon 7X. Enhancements in wing design combined with upgraded Pratt & Whitney Canada PW300 engines yield up to a 35% improvement in fuel efficiency relative to competing aircraft.
The prototype model F-WWQA took its maiden flight from Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport on February 6, 2015. On June 24, 2016, EASA incorporated the Falcon 8X as a subtype of the Falcon 7X under type certificate modification M1000 for serial numbers starting at 0401. Dassault delivered the first Falcon 8X on October 5, 2016, to Greek operator Amjet Executive.
By October 2018, both FAA and EASA approved the FalconEye EFVS for approaches down to , with dual HUD-equipped FalconEye systems projected to enable EVS-to-land operations by 2020 without reliance on natural vision.
Each of the three PW307D turbofans delivers increased thrust while achieving a fuel efficiency gain of approximately 1.5%. The aircraft’s MTOW rose from , alongside an increase in fuel capacity by , extending its operational range further. The wing structure is lighter and more flexible, improving passenger comfort despite an overall stretch in length. Although operating empty weight increased by , stringent weight management allows operators to meet or surpass Dassault’s estimated BOW of for fully equipped configurations with three crew members aboard. This structural efficiency—where OEW constitutes only half of MTOW—results in superior fuel economy even when compared with heavier competitors such as the Gulfstream IV-SP. Fuel consumption during the first hour averages , with typical cruise burn around per hour. Cabin noise levels average at approximately 47 dB, which is notably quieter by 2–3 dB than that of the Falcon 7X.
As of 2022, the list price for a fully equipped Falcon 8X stood at $62.5 million.
Falcon 8X Archange
The Falcon Archange represents a military adaptation of the Falcon 8X, developed specifically for the French Air and Space Force as part of the ARCHANGE (Avion de Renseignement à CHArge utile de Nouvelle GEnération) intelligence aircraft initiative, which commenced in December 2019. Tailored for SIGINT and electronic warfare operations, it incorporates the Universal Electronic Warfare Capability (CUGE), a system engineered by Thales. This advanced technology enables simultaneous detection and analysis of radio frequencies and radar emissions, utilizing multi-polarization antennas combined with artificial intelligence to improve automated data processing. The intelligence collected is subsequently examined by experts and integrated into the databases utilized by the French Armed Forces. The program also encompasses a dedicated ground-based training platform.
Currently, two Falcon 8X Archange aircraft have been ordered, with plans for a third unit. The initial delivery is slated for 2028, following its inaugural flight on July 17, 2025.
Civil operators
From mid-2007 through March 2016, over 260 Falcon 7X jets were delivered, collectively logging more than 440,000 flight hours. Europe accounts for 117 of these aircraft, representing 45% of the global fleet, with notable concentrations in Switzerland (18), France (13), Luxembourg (8), Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Portugal, Russia (6), and Ukraine (4). Major corporate users include Antwerp's Flying Group with five jets, Shell Oil in Rotterdam operating four, Dassault Falcon Service at Paris-Le Bourget with four, and Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg also flying four. North America comprises roughly 20% of the fleet, featuring over 50 aircraft in the United States, six in Canada, and five in Mexico. The Asia-Pacific region includes 14 Falcons based in Hong Kong and 11 in China. Among premium charter providers, Planet Nine Private Air LLC in Los Angeles operates five Falcon 7X aircraft. Clay Lacy Aviation manages Falcon 7Xs on both the East and West coasts of the U.S.
Corporate and charter Falcon 8X operators typically log between 600 and 850 flight hours annually, whereas private owners average around 300 to 400 hours per year. Air Alsie in Denmark operates a combined fleet of five Falcon 8Xs and six Falcon 7Xs; Switzerland hosts five Falcon 8Xs. Other operators with two Falcon 8Xs each include Volkswagen, Global Jet Luxembourg, and ExecuJet Europe. Single Falcon 8X operators encompass Shell, Flying Group, Aviaservice Air (based in Kazan, Russia), NetJets Europe, TAG Aviation (Geneva), and Abelag Aviation. In the United States, companies such as Bechtel, Citrus Products, Energy Transfer Partners, Honeywell, and Sony operate six Falcon 8Xs collectively. Additional registrations include three aircraft in China, two in São Paulo, with others distributed across regions including the Mediterranean basin, Middle East, and India.
Sam Airways from Senegal operates one Falcon 8X alongside one Falcon 7X.
Among distinguished private owners of Falcon 7X jets are Bernie Ecclestone and Taylor Swift. As of 2025, Max Verstappen is known to own a Falcon 8X.
Government and military operators
- Royal Australian Air Force
- operates three leased Falcon 7X jets assigned to very important person (VVIP) missions.
- Belgian Air Component
- maintains two military-use Falcon 7X aircraft under dry lease agreements from Luxaviation.
- Republic of the Congo
- utilized a Falcon 7X as presidential transport until its auction in 2023 to offset construction-related debts.
- Ecuadorian Air Force
- acquired one Falcon 7X for extended travel missions delivered in 2013.
- Egyptian Air Force
- has placed orders for four Falcon 7X aircraft valued at $337 million.
- French Air and Space Force
- Two Falcon 7Xs have been delivered since 2009 as part of the presidential fleet.
- Two Falcon 8X Archange SIGINT/EW platforms are on order to replace the Transall C-160 Gabriel fleet; an additional unit is planned.
- Hellenic Air Force
- received one Falcon 7X as a donation from Dassault.
- Hungarian Air Force
- operates two Falcon 7X jets enhancing strategic airlift capacity.
- Indonesian Air Force
- took delivery of two Falcon 8Xs under the Dassault Rafale contract; previously operated one Falcon 7X and one Falcon 8X for VVIP transport and training purposes.
- Albert II, Prince of Monaco
- has owned a single Falcon 7X since 2013.
- Namibian government
- owns one Falcon 7X.
- Nigerian Air Force
- fields two Falcon 7X aircraft within its fleet.
- Russian special flight squadron
- utilizes two Falcon 7X jets (tail numbers RA-09007 and RA-09009) for conveying senior state officials.
- President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe procured a Falcon 7X in March 2023 valued at approximately $54 million.
Specifications
| Model | 7X | 8X |
|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | Two pilots | |
| Passenger capacity | 12 to 16 occupants | |
| Cabin dimensions | Width: 2.34 m (7.67 ft), Height: 1.88 m (6.17 ft) | |
| Cabin length[lower-alpha 1] | 11.91 m (39.07 ft) | 13 m (42.67 ft) |
| Overall length | 23.38 m (76.08 ft) | 24.46 m (80.2 ft) |
| Aircraft height | 7.83 m (25.67 ft) | 7.94 m (26.1 ft) |
| Wingspan measurement | 26.21 m (86 ft) | 26.29 m (86.25 ft) |
| Wing surface area | 70.7 m2 (761 sq ft) | |
| Wing loading | 449 kg/m2 (92 lb/sq ft) | 468 kg/m2 (96 lb/sq ft) |
| Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) | 31,751 kg (70,000 lb) | 33,113 kg (73,000 lb) |
| Maximum payload capacity | 4,400 lb (1,996 kg) | 4,900 lb (2,223 kg) |
| Fuel volume capacity | 14,488 kg (31,940 lb) | 15,830 kg (34,900 lb) |
| Basic operating weight (BOW) | 36,600 pounds (16,601 kg) | 36,100 pounds (16,375 kg) |
| Engines (×3) - Turbofans | P&WC PW307A | P&WC PW307D |
| Thrust output | 28.48 kN (6,402 lbf) | 29.9 kN (6,722 lbf) |
| Range with 8 passengers | 5,950 nmi (11,020 km; 6,850 mi) | 6,450 nmi (11,950 km; 7,420 mi) |
| Maximum service ceiling | 15,545 m (51,000 ft) | |
| Maximum velocity | Mach 0.9 (1,100 km/h; 690 mph) | |
| Typical cruise speed | Mach 0.8 (980 km/h; 610 mph) | |
| Balanced field length for takeoff[lower-alpha 2] | 1,740 m (5,710 ft) | 1,829 m (6,000 ft) |
| Landing distance[lower-alpha 3] | 631 m (2,070 ft) | 656 m (2,150 ft) |
| Avionics system | Falcon Enhanced Avionics System (EASy) Flight Deck | |
External links
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