Country of origin:

France

Description:

Business and executive transport

Power Plant:

Two 5,725 lbst CFE [General Electric and AlliedSignal] CFE738-1-1B turbofans

Specifications:

History:

The Dassault Falcon 2000 was first announced at the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget in June 1988 (as the Falcon X) as a new model in the Company’s range of business jets, to become a replacement for the 20 and 200 series. The new model was basically a shortened twin-engined derivative of the Falcon 900 and, following its announcement, some refinement to the design took place, this including a lengthening of the fuselage by 1.2 m (4 ft) and improved aerodynamics, this being achieved by the use of area ruling, the rear fuselage tapering aft of the passenger cabin. The tail unit, the majority of the fuselage and systems from the Falcon 900 were retained, thus reducing development costs.

Object of the design was to provide a range of 5,550 km (3,449 miles) with eight passengers and their baggage, more than the 200 series but less than the 900. The Company estimated a market for 300 aircraft of the type, one of the main markets being the United States where it promoted the Falcon 2000 as a reasonably priced coast-to-coast business aircraft with up to 30 per cent lower direct operating costs than its nearest rival, the Canadair Challenger 601.

The prototype (F-WNAV) first flew on 4 March 1993, the manufacturer at that time holding orders for 50 aircraft for 12 customers. By early 1994 the prototype had logged 350 hours in 190 flights and almost half of the certification program had been completed. Hot weather testing was completed on the Ivory Coast and French certification was received in November 1994.

The second Falcon 2000 was rolled out at the Dassault Bordeaux-Merignac facility in December 1993, the third aircraft following in July the following year. FAA certification was received in February 1995, the first production aircraft being delivered to a customer in South Africa in March 1995. In a high density layout the Falcon 2000 could accommodate up to 19 passengers.

The wings of the Falcon 2000s were adapted directly from the Falcon 900, the major difference being the deletion of the inboard slats and some modifications to the leading-edges. Engines were the CFE turbofan, being produced by a partnership between General Electric and AlliedSignal, the former supplying the engine core and engine controls while the latter company produced the fan, low pressure turbine, accessory gearbox and installation interfaces.

The cockpit had Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 avionics, the system including four CRT displays for primary flight and navigation information. Controls were conventional but the aircraft used a Messier brake-by-wire system. In 1995 the Model 2000 received Category IIIa landing capability, this becoming available because of the Flight Dynamics Head Up Display. An Auxiliary Power Unit was installed, this being the AlliedSignal Garrett GPC 3160 unit. In order to save costs some composites were used in the airframe, being used for fairings, nose cone, engine cowlings, etc.

The type was popular in the United States, the American company Executive Jet based in New Jersey in December 1997 ordering 24 Falcon 2000s for its US fractional ownership program. Partners in the development and production of the aircraft included Alenia, which in turn sub-contracted work to Dee Howard and Piaggio. Production continued and in 2005 27 examples were delivered.

First of the type to be seen in this region was N2000A, a Company demonstrator which visited the Singapore Air Show and later the Australian International Air Show at Avalon, VIC in February 1999, during a sales demonstration tour.

The first registered was a Falcon 2000EX VH-CRQ (c/n 058 – ex VH-CRW [ntu], N158EX) of Brenzil Pty Ltd of Melton, QLD, on 6 July 2005, ownership being transferred to Brenzil Air Charter on 25 January 2006.