DASSAULT AVIATION : Falcon 7X Flight Test Program Passes 100th Flight Milestone

(Istres, France, November 17, 2005) The 100th Falcon 7X flight took place Tuesday, November 15th from Dassault’s Flight Test Center on aircraft serial number two. This one hour and 35 minute flight, flown by test pilots Jean-Louis Dumas and Dominique Chenevier, was dedicated to low speed tests. Both pilots reported that the Falcon 7X exhibited excellent control characteristics, despite the rigorous “out of the envelope” test conditions. “We flew the aircraft all the way down to 85 knots” said Chenevier, and were very impressed by the ease with which the aircraft responded to control inputs. It means the aircraft will be very flexible and allow high performance on short airfields.” he added.

Since Tuesday’s milestone flight, all three test aircraft have flown again with the 103rd flight being the return, this morning, of s/n 03 from the U.S, where it had its premier showing at the annual NBAA Convention.

“The reaction to the Falcon 7X by NBAA members in Orlando was most gratifying” said John Rosanvallon, President and CEO of Dassault Falcon Jet. “The new technology of the airplane, particularly the flight deck with its fly-by-wire flight control system, drew a constant crowd of admirers”.

Serial number three was flown from the convention in Orlando, Florida to Dassault’s Completion Center in Little Rock, Arkansas following the show. There, it underwent a series of test procedures in preparation for future outfitting of Falcon 7X interiors. This morning, at 7:30 am (GMT +1), the aircraft landed at the Dassault test center in Istres, France.

Yves “Bill” Kerhervé, Dassault Aviation’s Sr. Chief Test Pilot reported that the Falcon 7X’s second transatlantic flight went perfectly. "On such a long distance flight, (nine and a half hours) the crew and five technicians aboard were able to appreciate all the advance planning we’ve done to make the cabin extra comfortable” said Kerherve. “The new pressurization system, which provides a 6,000 foot cabin altitude, and the advanced temperature control system made the flight very pleasing to everyone on board."

The Falcon 7X flight test program is expected to reach 1,200 flight hours before achieving certification scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2006. Since its first flight on May 5, 2005, the Falcon 7X has accumulated over 330 flight hours. During the NBAA Convention, Dassault announced that ongoing design enhancements currently being tested could increase the range of the airplane close to 6000 nm (the original projection was for 5700 nm).

CONTACTS :
U.S.: Ralph Aceti 201 541 4585 - Andrew Ponzoni 201-541-4588
Dassault Falcon Teterboro Airport, Box 2000 – South Hackensack, NJ 07606

FRANCE: Vadim Feldzer 33 (0)1 47 11 44 13 - Marie-Alexandrine Munoz 33 (0)1 47 11 64 23
Dassault Aviation 78 Quai Marcel Dassault – 92552 Saint-Cloud Cedex 300 - FRANCE