Dassault Falcon 900DX

Overview and History of the Falcon 900DX

Deliveries of the Falcon 900DX – designed and manufactured by Dassault Aviation – started in 2005 and ended just 5 years later in 2010.

Dassault announced the 900DX in May 2004, stating that it would be equipped with the EASy flight deck, making it a companion to the Falcon 900EX EASy.

Variants of the 900 series of aircraft also include the Dassault Falcon 900B, Falcon 900C, Falcon 900DX EASy, Dassault Falcon 900EX, Falcon 900EX EASy, and Falcon 900LX.

The Falcon 900 series of aircraft is a development of the Falcon 50, which in itself is a development of the earlier Falcon 20.

The first ever 900 tri-jet aircraft flew in 1984 with FAA approval two years later.

The DX is a long-range falcon with an advanced flight deck and three separate Honeywell engines.

Thanks to the engines the 900 DX is able to operate in and out of high altitude and challenging airports, such as Aspen, St. Moritz, and London City due to the short takeoff and steep approach requirements.

The Falcon 900 series of private jets is one of the last few trijet families of business jets in the world.

Dassault Falcon 900DX Performance

The Dassault Falcon 900DX is powered by three Honeywell TFE731-5BR-1C engines, each delivering a thrust output of 14,250 lbs (6,464 kg).

This robust power plant allows the aircraft to achieve a high-speed cruise of 474 knots (878 km/h) and a long-range cruise speed of 430 knots (796 km/h).

These engines have high efficiency and require less fuel than much of the competition with an hourly fuel burn of, on average, 265 gallons per hour.

The Falcon 900DX’s performance shines in its ability to reach a maximum altitude of 51,000 feet (15,545 meters), offering smoother flight even in turbulent weather.

On a single full tank, the 900DX has a remarkable range of 4,100 nautical miles (7,593 km), permitting non-stop international flights.

Impressively, it only requires a take-off distance of 4,890 feet (1,490 meters) and achieves a landing distance of 2,397 feet (731 meters), allowing it to operate in smaller airports where many of its competitors cannot.

However, it’s important to note that these figures represent the best-case scenario.

The actual range and ground performance of any aircraft can be affected by numerous factors, such as wind conditions, passenger load, fuel weight, and operational procedures. Therefore, these performance figures should serve as a guide, not a guarantee.

Interior and Cabin

The Falcon 900DX offers one of the largest cabins in its class, with generous dimensions of 32.9 feet (10 m) in length, 7.7 feet (2.3 m) in width, and 6.2 feet (1.9 m) in height.

These dimensions ensure ample space for passengers to move around freely, even on longer flights.

Designed for maximum comfort, the Falcon 900DX typically seats 12 to 14 passengers but can take up to 19 passengers if required.

The cabin is divided into three sections, providing a well-optimized space for relaxation, work, or entertainment.

Key amenities like phone, fax, SATCOM, data link, copier computer, video screens, television, custom executive desk, and conference tables are present, catering to the diverse needs of executive travelers.

Cockpit

The Falcon 900DX isn’t just about passenger comfort, it also provides an advanced setup for the pilots.

Integrated into Honeywell’s Primus Epic suite is the Falcon 900DX’s advanced EASy avionics cockpit system, a feature it shares with the EX.

This state-of-the-art cockpit is equipped with four 14-inch Primus Epic screens arranged in a T configuration, delivering enhanced precision and fostering better crew coordination.

It presents a clear, clutter-free environment, ensuring effortless access to critical flight information.

Cockpit

As you would expect from a new Embraer aircraft, the Phenom 100EV is fitted with state-of-the-art avionics. The Prodigy Touch avionics up front are optimized for single-pilot operation with smart automatic and reduced checklists.

Down to its very last detail, the Phenom 100EV has been meticulously engineered to deliver advanced technology and unparalleled ergonomics. Boasting intelligent automation and a human factors-driven design, the aircraft offers easy, single-pilot operation plus enhanced capabilities.

Its state-of-the-art, touch-controlled flight deck is designed to anticipate every need, minimize workload and increase situational awareness. The Synthetic Vision System sees what the eyes can’t.

Graphical flight planning, SurfaceWatch™, vertical navigation, wind shear alerting, and weather radar with vertical scan, ground clutter suppression and turbulence detection provide even more situational awareness.

And the design of the aircraft’s synoptic screens and Prodigy Touch avionics – based on Garmin 3000 – create an instinctive interface between pilot and aircraft.

Charter Cost

In North America, the estimated charter cost for this luxurious aircraft stands at approximately $6,300.

However, it’s crucial to note that this figure can be influenced by a variety of factors.

These can include the length of the trip, the time of year, and the duration of the stay. Moreover, costs might vary based on specific services or additional requirements requested by the passengers.

Falcon 900DX Purchase Cost

When new, the Dassault Falcon 900DX had a list price starting from $38 million.

However, if you were to purchase a Falcon 900DX today, you would be looking at a price of around $10 million.

Apart from the initial purchase price it is important to consider the operating costs that are associated with a corporate jet like this.

If you were to fly 200 hours per year, it’s estimated that the annual ownership costs would be approximately $730,000.

These figures offer a clear-cut insight into the financial considerations of owning a Falcon 900DX.

As with the charter cost, it’s important to remember that these are baseline figures and the actual costs could be more, factoring in variables such as maintenance, storage, and any specific modifications or upgrades.