The French masterpiece. The Dassault Falcon 50's Enduring Legacy in Business Aviation.
Write a comment Few jets stand out quite like the Dassault Falcon 50, a product of forward-thinking engineering. The Dassault Falcon 50 has established a significant legacy in the business jet industry. This French masterpiece from Dassault Aerospace is renowned for its trifecta of unmatched performance, globe-trotting range, and pioneering trijet design.
The Falcon 50's journey began in 1974 when the demand for long-range flights surged in the United States. Recognizing this trend, Dassault Aviation set out to revolutionize the aviation market with an aircraft capable of crossing the North Atlantic or the United States non-stop.
The Falcon 50 completed its maiden flight on November 7, 1976, in Mérignac, France, from Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport, under the expert guidance of legendary pilots Hervé Leprince-Ringuet and Gérard Joyeuse. It was the only business jet capable of transoceanic travel, a feat unmatched by any other business aircraft.
- The Dassault Falcon 50 was the first business jet capable of flying non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean1. In the early 1970s, French aircraft manufacturer Dassault noticed a strong demand for long-range business jets in the United States. Using knowledge learned from the Dassault 30-40 range of private jets, the company developed an aircraft that could fly 3,400 nautical miles non-stop.
- The Falcon 50 was designed with three engines, a significant advantage then. Twin-engine jets were deemed unsafe to fly transatlantic, but quadjets and trijets could do so. Designing the Falcon 50 with three engines made it safe to cross the Atlantic.
- The Dassault Falcon 50 was built at three different plants. The Aerospatiale facility in Saint-Nazaire on the West Coast constructed the fuselage and 55% of the aircraft's frame. Dassault built the wings at its Colomiers plant in the southwest, with final assembly and testing done at Mérignac in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
- One Falcon 50, codenamed "Suzanna," was modified for military use by Iraq. It was equipped with the weapons system and nose radar of the Mirage F1 fighter bomber.
The Falcon 50 was later updated as the Falcon 50EX, featuring improved engines and other enhancements to further range improvements to an already long-range jet3. The Falcon 50EX designation applies to serial numbers 253–352, which marks the end of the Falcon 50/50EX3 production line.
The Falcon 50: Design and Development
The Falcon 50 is a testament to the power of technology and innovation. Its design results from computer-molded fluid dynamics software, which helped create wings that minimize drag even at high speeds. This improved the aircraft's performance and reduced the noise in flight, making the Falcon 50 a relatively quiet private jet for its size.
The Falcon 50's design was also influenced by its purpose: to achieve intercontinental range while maintaining a short takeoff distance and a roomy cabin. At the time of its completion, it was the first private jet in the market with this impressive feature.
The Falcon 50: Engine Configuration
Its trijet configuration sets the Falcon 50 apart from many other jets. Powered by three Honeywell TFE731-3-1C turbofan engines, each providing 3,700 pounds of thrust on takeoff, the Falcon 50 has a separate fuel system for each engine. This ensures equal fuel consumption across all three fuel tanks, with an average fuel consumption per hour between 2,100 and 2,200 pounds.
The Falcon 50: Performance
The Falcon 50's performance is commendable, with impressive range/payload capacity. It can carry eight passengers 3,020 miles at a speed of 480 knots or Mach 0.84, making it a versatile choice for short- and long-range trips.
Regarding runway performance, the Falcon 50 shines at sea level with a takeoff distance of 4,700 feet. At an altitude of 5,000 feet and a temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit, the takeoff distance increases to 7,105 feet. However, it compensates for this with a climbing capacity of 39,000 feet in thirty minutes.
The Falcon 50: Cabin Specifications
The Falcon 50's cabin is designed with passenger comfort in mind. Usually configured to carry eight to ten passengers, it can be modified to accommodate as many as nineteen. The cabin measures Height: 5 ft 9 in, Cabin Width: 6 ft 1 in, Cabin Length: 22 ft 11 in, and a total cabin volume of 569 cubic feet. The external storage compartment can fit objects up to eight feet long.
The Falcon 50EX: An Enhanced Version
In 1996, Dassault announced the launch of the Falcon 50EX, designed to replace the Falcon 50. The new version could fly higher and faster, with a range of 3,529.00 nautical miles. (6,050 km) at Mach 0.75. Equipped with three new AlliedSignal TFE 731-40 engines, the Falcon 50EX also featured modernized avionics, increased thrust, and reduced fuel consumption and maintenance costs.
The Falcon 50: Variants and Successors
The Falcon 50 has seen multiple variants and successors since its inception. The Falcon 50EX, as mentioned earlier, was the updated version of the Falcon 50 with improved engines and other enhancements. Following the Falcon 50EX, Dassault released the Falcon 7X and Falcon 900, featuring a larger fuselage and the same three-engine configuration.
In January 2008, Dassault announced a replacement aircraft for the Falcon 50, codenamed the "SMS" (Super Mid Size). The company aimed to complete the basic design process, including engine selection, by early 2009.
The Falcon 50: Impact on the Aviation Industry
The impact of the Falcon 50 on the aviation industry is immense. It was a pioneer in the field of business jets, being the first to provide an intercontinental range while maintaining high performance and comfort levels. It also set a new standard in aircraft design with its innovative supercritical wings and trijet configuration.
Specifications of the Dassault Falcon 50EX
- Crew: A dynamic duo.
- Capacity: An intimate 8-9.
- Length: 60 feet 9 inches
- Wingspan: 61 feet 11 inches
- Height: 22 feet 11 inches
- Wing area: 504.1 square feet
- Max takeoff weight: 39,701 lbs
- Max Landing Weight: 35,715 lbs
- Powerplant: 3 × Honeywell TFE 731-40 turbofan engines, 16.46 kN (3,700 lbs) thrust each
Performance:
- Maximum speed: 631 mph
- Maximum speed: Mach 0.86
- Cruise speed: Cruising elegantly at 561 mph.
- Range: 3,539 miles
- Service ceiling: 49,003 feet
- Rate of climb: 2,053.7 feet per minute
- Takeoff run: 4,934 feet
- Landing run: 2,247 feet