Aircraft again demonstrates unparalleled performance and operating efficiency
Dassault Aviation’s Falcon 7X has set a new transatlantic speed record, flying between Teterboro in the New York metropolitan area and London City Airport at an average speed of Mach 0.88.
The 7X, serial number 207, took off from Teterboro Airport at 8:04 AM local time on May 2 with test pilot Philippe Deleume and Dassault operational pilot Olivier Froment at the controls. Three passengers were on board. The aircraft was fully equipped for normal operation with HUD, EVS and FalconCabin HD+ cabin management system. Five hours and 54 minutes later, at 6:58 PM local time, it touched down on the short 4,000 ft runway at London City Airport.
For most of the 3,465 nm (6,452 km) trip, the 7X cruised at Mach 0.88. Both passengers and pilots reported a comfortable flight – testimony to the precision and smoothness of the 7X’s aerodynamic design and digital flight controls.
The record has been sent to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale in Switzerland for recognition as an official world record.
“This marks a new achievement for the Falcon 7X, which has consistently set the pace since it was introduced in 2007,” said Chairman/CEO Eric Trappier. “No other large cabin business jet can match the combination of range, comfort, fuel efficiency and operating flexibility afforded by the 7X,” remarked Trappier. “No wonder it’s the fastest selling Falcon ever, with 250 produced to date.”
The remarkable efficiency of the 7X was underscored during the outbound flight from London City to Teterboro on April 30. The plane departed runway 27 with four passengers on board and, because of the airport’s short runway, carried a fuel load of 19,700 lbs – two thirds of the 7X’s 31,940 lb fuel capacity. It reached Teterboro in 7 hours 35 min, flying at its optimum long-range speed setting of Mach 0.80. Landing was accomplished in IFR conditions with 2,600 lbs of fuel remaining, more than sufficient to meet IFR reserves requirements.
With its Pratt & Whitney Canada PW307A power plant and ultra-efficient aerodynamic design, the 7X can fly 5,950 nm (11,020 km) non-stop at Mach 0.80. But over shorter distances, it can cruise at speeds up to its maximum operating limit of Mach 0.90.
Moreover, the 7X can fly into and out of airfields like London City, La Mole/St. Tropez, France and Saanen, Switzerland that are typically inaccessible to large cabin business jets. The 7X provides the longest range of any business jet out of London City, allowing it to easily serve destinations as distant as New York or Dubai.
