Dassault Aviation has been showcasing the Falcon 7X very long range trijet and the new Falcon 2000S short-field twin at the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE) this week.

China has emerged as one of the world’s fastest selling business jet markets and a major destination for Falcon aircraft. Some 40 Falcons are currently in operation in the country.

“Although new sales activity in China was down in 2014, deliveries for Falcons remained very strong, with 8 aircraft entering service,” said Oliver Villa, Senior VP, Civil aircraft at Dassault Aviation.

“We are still seeing strong demand for our Falcon 7X, a trend we expect to continue with the new ultra long range Falcon 8X and very large body Falcon 5X as those recently introduced aircraft progress through development,” continued Villa. “We are also encouraged by strong Chinese interest in the new Falcon 2000S and Falcon 2000LXS shortfield models, certified in early 2013, which demonstrates the increased maturity of the Chinese market.” Dassault’s confidence in this market is reflected in new moves to strengthen its promotion and product support network in China and the neighboring region.

Oliver Villa

Last year, Dassault set up a new subsidiary in Hong Kong, Dassault Aviation Falcon Asia-Pacific, to oversee activities in neighboring areas of Asia and the Pacific region, which are also experiencing above average market growth.

This is in addition to major steps that are being taken to reinforce the regional service and spare parts networks.

Falcon aircraft custom made for Chinese market

With 35 units in service, China has become the second largest market, behind the United States, for the Falcon 7X. The 5,950 nm/11,020 km 7X can connect Shanghai directly with destinations throughout the Asia Pacific region as well as most of Europe and the Western United States.

Featuring advanced systems derived largely from military aircraft and an ultra-quiet, roomy interior that allows passengers to disembark fresh and relaxed after a 13 hour flight, the 7X offers exceptional operating economy and versatility, including the ability to serve ultra confined, elevated and hot airfields that are typically inaccessible to large jets. Last year, the 7X completed trials in Daocheng, China (altitude: 14,470 feet), that will allow it to operate the world’s highest commercial airport.

These features help explain why the 7X is the fastest selling Falcon ever. More than 250 units have left the assembly line since the model was certified in 2007.

The new Falcon 8X and very large body Falcon 5X are expected to follow in the 7X’s footsteps. Derived from the 7X, the 6,450 nm/12,000 km Falcon 8X made its first flight on February 6 and is due to begin deliveries in the second half of 2016. It will feature the longest Falcon cabin and the lowest ownership and operating costs in its class while offering the same advanced flight deck technology and operating flexibility as the 7X.

The all-new Falcon 5X will offer the largest cabin cross-section in business aviation and lower ownership and operating costs than any other big jet. Rollout is anticipated in a few weeks and first flight will follow this summer.

Dassault’s two new Falcon 2000S and 2000LXS wide body twins are also tailor made for Chinese market conditions. The 3,350 nm/6,205 km 2000S is the new entry level jet in the Falcon family. Equipped with a full slate of standard features, including upgraded EASy II avionics, FalconCabin HD+ entertainment system and a brand new cabin design, it brings large cabin comfort to the super mid-size segment.

The 4,000 nm/7,410 km Falcon 2000LXS combines the short field performance of the 2000S with the longer range capabilities of the 2000LX. Featuring the same inboard slats and winglets as the 2000S model, the aircraft has a balanced field length of 4,675 ft /1,425 m (SL, ISA) at 42,800 lb of MTOW, and can access more airports than any other aircraft in its category.

The Falcon line is rounded out by the long range Falcon 900LX trijet. Equipped with Honeywell TFE731-60 engines and a state-of-the art EASy II flight deck, the 900LX offers 7% more range than the Falcon 900EX EASy, which it replaced in 2010.

In further news, Dassault has signed an agreement with Beijing-based Deer Jet authorizing it to provide line maintenance and unscheduled maintenance for the Falcon 7X.

Located at Beijing Capital Airport, Deer Jet is one of the largest business jet operators in the Asia Pacific region. It manages and supports a large fleet of executive aircraft, including the 7X.

“Deer Jet has both the tooling and training to provide support to the ever growing volume of Falcon traffic that is coming through Beijing,” said Kathy Liu, Director of Customer Service-Asia for Dassault. “Furthermore, their experience as a Falcon 7X operator gives them hands-on know-how that will greatly benefit customers who call upon the company for assistance in its new role.” The Authorized Service Agreement allows Deer

Jet to perform light line maintenance (up to 2A and 2A+ inspections) and unscheduled maintenance for Chinese registered Falcon 7X from its Beijing facility. Deer Jet has also applied for EASA and FAA full repair station approvals, which are expected to be granted within a year.

Currently, the company has three technicians on staff dedicated to supporting Falcon customers, including provision of 24/7 AOG support. The facility is equipped with a substantial stock of Falcon tooling and spare parts, and can also access to more than $5 million in spares at Dassault’s nearby Beijing spares facility.

The Falcon 7X is Dassault’s fastest-selling Falcon, with over 250 aircraft produced since its certification in 2007. 35 of the very long range trijets are based in China, making it the second largest 7X fleet after that in the U.S. Last year, the Falcon 7X completed trials at Daocheng Yading, in China’s Sichuan province that will allow it to operate out of the world’s highest commercial airport (altitude: 14,470 feet).

Continued Expansion of Customer Support in China and Asia-Pacific

Dassault has been rapidly increasing customer support capabilities in China to serve the current fleet and anticipate future growth.

The company recently expanded spare parts inventory at its Beijing Spares Depot by 15% to $5.2 million, and a further increase is planned in the near future.

Dassault also undertook a 50% expansion of inventory at its spare parts depot in Singapore, allowing it to stock the top 3,000 high demand parts for in-production aircraft. In total, t e value of inventory at the company’s various regional distribution centers in the Asia-Pacific region now exceeds $30 million.

In 2013, Dassault established a Customer Service headquarters in Beijing. Led by Kathy Liu, the office is staffed with two Field Technical Representatives and three Customer Care Managers, who provide assistance with warranty issues, spares and other operational matters. Kathy’s team recently grew with the addition of a new Regional Technical Manager and a third Field Technical Representative.

Shanghai Hawker Pacific is a Falcon Authorized Service center capable of providing line and base maintenance for Falcon aircraft registered in China, Hong Kong, Macau and the U.S. It also has a dedicated inventory of Falcon spares.