Dassault Falcon 900 Explained

The Dassault Falcon 900, commonly abbreviated as the F900,^[1] is a French-built corporate trijet aircraft made by Dassault Aviation.

Development

The Falcon 900 is a development of the Falcon 50, itself a development of the earlier Falcon 20. The Falcon 900 airframe design incorporates composite materials.

Other models include the Falcon 900-B, featuring an increased range, and the Falcon 900EX featuring other improvements in engines and range and an all-glass flight deck. The Falcon 900C is a companion to the Falcon 900EX and replaces the Falcon 900B. Later versions are the Falcon 900EX EASy, and the Falcon 900DX.^[2] At EBACE 2008, Dassault announced another development of the 900 series: the Falcon 900LX,^[3] incorporating high mach blended winglets designed by Aviation Partners Inc.

In 2023, the 900LX equipped price was $44.7 million.^[4] ^[5]

Operational service

In France, the Falcon 900 is used by the Transport Squadron 60 (Transportation, Training and Calibration Squadron 65), which is in charge of transportation for officials in France.

Variants

Announced in 1984, original production. Powered by three 20kN Garrett TFE731-5AR-1C turbofan jet engines.^[6] It was certified in 1986 by French and U.S. aviation authorities.

Maritime patrol version for Japan Coast Guard; this variant is equipped with search radar and a hatch for dropping rescue stores.^[7]

Falcon 900B

Revised production version from 1991,^[7] powered by 21.13kN TFE731-5BR-1C engines.^[8]

Falcon 900C

Replacement for 900B, introduced in 2000.^[7] ^[8]

Long range version with 22.24kN engines; this variant features TFE731-60 engines, with a range of 4500nmi. Avionics by (Honeywell Primus). It entered service in 1996.^[8]

Long range version produced from 2004 to 2009; fitted with Honeywell / Dassault Primus Epic EASy avionics. TFE731-60 engines.^[9]

Falcon 900DX

Shorter-range production type with TFE731-60 engines.^[2]

Falcon 900LX

Current production variant of EX fitted with blended winglets; range of 4750nmi.^[10]

Envoy IV

Royal Air Force military designation for the 900LX.^[11]

VC-900A

Italian military designation for the 900EX.^[12]

VC-900B

Italian military designation for the 900EX EASy.^[12]

Operators

Civil operators

A wide range of private owners, businesses, and small airlines operate Falcon 900s.

Former operators

Accidents and incidents

On 14 September 1999, a Falcon 900B (registered SX-ECH) operating for the Greek Government by Olympic Airways, was descending to land at Bucharest, Romania, when the autopilot disengaged and several pilot-induced oscillations occurred. The impact of unfastened passengers with the cabin and aircraft furniture resulted in fatal injuries to seven passengers, serious injuries to two, and minor to another two. Among the victims was Giannos Kranidiotis, then deputy foreign minister for Greece.
On 13 February 2021, a Falcon 900EX corporate jet (N823RC) experienced a landing gear collapse after an aborted takeoff at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, California. Although the aircraft sustained significant damage, all five occupants on board escaped without injuries. The flight crew explained that during the takeoff attempt, the captain applied back pressure to the control yoke, but the nose failed to rotate to a takeoff position. After multiple attempts, the captain decided to reject the takeoff by reducing thrust and applying maximum brakes. As a result, the aircraft overshot the runway and the landing gear collapsed upon reaching a gravel pad. The NTSB investigation revealed that the captain did not possess a valid pilot certificate due to an emergency revocation by the FAA two years earlier. This revocation occurred because the captain had falsified logbook entries and records for pilot proficiency checks, competency checks, and training events while serving as a check pilot for a Part 135 operator.

External links

Notes and References

Web site: Dassault Falcon 900. SKYbrary.aero. SKYbrary Aviation Safety. 2019-05-31. https://web.archive.org/web/20190531204222/https://www.SKYbrary.aero/index.php/F900. 2019-05-31. live.
Web site: Falcon 900 DX. DassaultFalcon.com. Dassault Aviation. 2009. 15 May 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090228183131/http://www.DassaultFalcon.com/aircraft/900dx/. 28 February 2009.
Web site: EBACE 2008 - Dassault announces Falcon 900LX. FlightGlobal.com. FlightGlobal. 19 May 2008. 7 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20110521214809/http://www.FlightGlobal.com/articles/2008/05/19/223850/ebace-2008-dassault-announces-falcon-900lx.html. 21 May 2011. live.
News: Purchase planning handbook - Jets table. Infogram.com. Second Quarter 2023. Business & Commercial Aircraft.
News: Rivero . Nicolás . Why the idea of Taylor Swift’s Super Bowl jet trip is sparking controversy . Washington Post . 7 February 2024.
Taylor 1988, p.77.
Web site: The Dassault Falcon 900. Airliners.net. 15 May 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090425201516/http://www.airliners.net/aircraft-data/stats.main?id=175. 2009-04-25.
Book: Taylor. M.J.H.. 1999. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000 Edition. Brassey's. 1-85753-245-7. 416–417.
Web site: Dassault Falcon 900EX EASy. GuardianJet.com. 3 October 2022.
Web site: Falcon 900LX performance. DassaultFalcon.com. Dassault Falcon. 2016-06-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20160531074606/http://www.DassaultFalcon.com/en/Aircraft/Models/900LX/Pages/performance.aspx. 2016-05-31. dead.
Web site: Envoy IV CC1. RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence. 3 October 2022.
Web site: Archived copy. DGAA.it. 2012-07-15. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20131220014637/http://www.DGAA.it/newsletter/newsletter60/AER-0-0-12.pdf. 2013-12-20.