Dassault Falcon 7X Review: Specs, Features & Performance

Content

Falcon 7x is an ultra-long-range private jet.

The flagship model from the iconic French manufacturer Dassault Aviation, the 7X epitomizes the crafted luxury, performance and innovation that serves to define business aviation today.

The Falcon 7X has delivered a new standard of spaciousness, efficiency and capability in the large-cabin private jet category since its entry into service in the early 2000s. Because of its advanced flight deck, impressive range capabilities and customizable luxurious interior, it is a top choice for discerning owners and operators around the globe.

In this comprehensive review, we are going to dissect the history, specifications, features, operating costs and value proposition of the great Dassault Falcon 7X.

We will put it into context for a potential or current owner looking to upgrade from their current jet and/or someone new to business aviation that wants to know what one of the world's best long-range jets has to offer.

Let's get started!

History and Development

Dassault Aviation has a long history of building advanced jets for the private market and military, and the Falcon 7X is representative of that legacy.

Here's an overview of key milestones in the 7X's production:

2001 - Dassault debuts the 7X concept at the Paris Air Show as the future Falcon jetliner.
2002 - Wind tunnel testing validates the aerodynamic design. Dassault begins making structural components.
2005 - The 7X makes its first flight powered by Pratt & Whitney turbofans.
2007 - The 7X is certified by the FAA and EASA after an intensive flight testing program.
2009 - First 7X delivery to a customer occurs. Dassault ramps up production over the next decade.
2015 - Enhanced safety features like auto-throttle and FalconEye added.
2021 - Dassault delivers its 300th 7X, highlighting continued strong demand

After more than a decade and a half of steady production and constant refinements, the Falcon 7X still ranks among the top-tier long-rangers-and happy owners continue to fly it around the planet.

Specifications

Performance numbers of the Falcon 7X are excellent, and keep it top tier in the business jet sector. Let's look at some key specs:

Physical Dimensions

Length: 77 ft (23.5 m)
Wingspan: 86 ft (26.2 m)
Height: 25.5 ft (7.8 m)
Cabin Length: 41 ft (12.5 m)
Cabin Height: 6.25 ft (1.9 m)
Cabin Width: 7.8 ft (2.4 m)

Performance

Range: 5,950 nm (11,000 km)
High Speed Cruise: Mach 0.90 (567 mph)
Long Range Cruise Speed: Mach 0.80 (490 mph)
Max Operating Altitude: 51,000 ft (15,545 m)
Fuel Capacity: 17,390 lb (7,887 kg)

Powerplant

Engines: 3x Honeywell turbofans
Thrust: 15,600 lbf (69.4 kN) each engine

Weights

Max Takeoff Weight: 70,000 lb (31,750 kg)
Basic Operating Weight: ~37,100 lb (16,825 kg)
Max Payload: 7,600 lb (3,447 kg)

Avionics

Dassault EASy flight deck
Honeywell Primus Epic avionics suite
Enhanced vision capabilities
Advanced navigation systems

These numbers demonstrate sheer performance that's been designed into the Falcon 7X airframe and systems. For me, it is very competitive against today’s top stack jets.

Design Features

Aside from its tech specs, the 7X includes some of the latest in aerodynamic design and optimized interior spaces to ensure passenger experience is top-notch.

Wing Design The supercritical wing illustrated here for the Falcon 7X helps delay drag and buffeting at higher speeds and altitudes. This enables it to fly high on Mach 0.90 while whipping about all others like under another wave of turbulence.

Leading-edge slats and trailing-edge flaps on the wing improve low-speed handling as well as short field performance.

Cabin Design The 7X offers a continuous interior volume of more than 41 feet, allowing layouts designed to maximize comfort and productivity. But fewer so-called workspaces are likely to feature a cabin with such inventive use of space.

In flight, these reduce excessive noise to a hush-hush 59 decibels. Large oval windows flood the interior with natural light.

Flight Deck 7X were the first Dassault aircraft equipped with their latest EASy (Essential Avionics System) flight deck emphasizing simplicity. Four large LCD displays present flight-critical data to pilots in an easy-to-read format.

The FalconEye combined vision system is an advanced navigation system that helps improve this situational awareness in all conditions. The aircraft is gently guided by the digitally controlled flight surfaces.

By combining state of the art aerodynamics, lavish interiors and digital flight control, Dassault designed the Falcon 7X experience from nose to tail.

Seating Comfort and Cabin Layout

In addition to performance stats, the 7X cabin environment creates a standard for comfort and personalization.

Interior Layout

The cabin of the Falcon 7X is adaptable in infinite ways. Typical layouts include:

Forward galley and lavatory
Main cabin seating area
Private stateroom or office
Spacious aft lavatory

Owners can define their preferred interior with flexible furnishings and modular fittings.

Seating Options The 7X offers the following depending on a driver''s range and passenger needs:

Executive seating for 12
Conference grouping for 8
Casual lounge for 6
Intimate space for 2

Pop-up worktables lend private collaboration to double club seats. Forward facing sofas and chaise lounges to make long-haul flights comfortable

Sleeping Accommodations For globe-trotting owners, sleeping space is a must. The 7X can be outfitted with:

Double bed forward private stateroom
Several passenger lie-flat chairs
Crew rest area

A sound insulation, luxury linens and light house element transform aircraft travel into a soaring five-star hotel room.

Luxury Amenities Now the 7X cabin equipped with the following to mastery passenger:

Fully equipped galley with convection oven
4K entertainment system with surround sound
Touchscreen cabin management system
Spa-style lavatory with luxury accents
High-speed broadband internet connectivity
Climate controls with four temperature zones

Advanced Technology

Though the 7X provides comfiest rides to passengers onboard it, but also uses innovations that help pilots fly and make it safer for passengers.

EASy Cockpit The most glaring piece of interior technology is the Dassault EASy flight deck. Four large LCDs are cut into air data parameters and navigation figure in a very natural style.

The cockpit design is automatically intensive and high emphasis on situational awareness and workload reduction.

Digital Flight Control Heavy mechanical linkages between the sidestick controller and flight surfaces are replaced by electronic signaling. The wing and tail are actuated by servo motors, which are commanded digitally for seamless control. Commands are optimized inflight with Autopilot integration.

FalconEye Combined Vision It provides a fully merged view of the environment in zero visibility conditions by combining infrared camera imaging with synthetic terrain mapping in what is known as the FalconEye. This takes situational awareness to the next level.

Safety Systems These improvements include new auto-throttle, automatic descent mode and predictive windshear radar improving the safety of its newest 7X models. Critical components have redundancy and will continue functioning in case of component failures.

Offering pilots and passengers peace of mind for a safe, smooth flight even under the most challenging conditions, the Falcon 7X is built to uncompromising standards.

Operating Costs

With all that performance comes a powerful operating cost, so the Falcon 7X demands some serious dollars to keep overhead afloat. However, for passengers who need the aircraft to be flexible and productive, its capabilities come at a cost.

Fuel Costs The 7X has a capacity of 17,390 pounds (7,887 kg), and consumes between 750–1,000 pounds per hour in cruise flight based on speed. At present jet fuel prices, that's $40,000 and change to burn on a 12 hour intercontinental flight - around 10,000 pounds of fuel.

Maintenance Expenses The Falcon 7X is a heavy jet that takes some work to keep in good shape, and it requires skilled personnel. This includes things like annual inspections, routine maintenance and engine reserves - totaling $250,000 to $350,000 annually. It requires more extensive maintenance approximately every 6 years for over $2 million.

Aircraft Management and Crew The majority of owners use a management company that handles everything from the aircraft to crew and records. In addition to crew salaries that can top $750,000 annually spending about $60,000-$100,000 a year on equipment may be required.

Insurance premiums And underwriters need expertise to insure something so valuable Annual premiums can even exceed $250,000.

The 7X isn't cheap to run; however, it does offer premium value for owners requiring an executive transport with global reach.

Competitor Aircraft

Competing with other Long Range Jets: Falcon 7X

Gulfstream G650ER

7,500 nm range
Mach 0.925 top speed
Symmetry flight deck

Bombardier Global 6000

6,000 nm range
Mach 0.89 top speed
Vision flight deck

Embraer Legacy 650E

3,900 nm range
Mach 0.80 top speed
Prodigy flight deck

I know that the other competitors have their positives, but the 7X stands out based on cabin comfort, interior space and tech integration.

What Makes the 7X Special?

The Falcon 7X from Dassault has a lot to offer buyers in private aviation:

Ultra Long Range Capability The 7X is capable of nonstop flights between far-flung worldwide cities that smaller jets are unable to reach. A massive time-saver by any standard.

Spacious, Customized Luxury Passengers are treated to a bespoke high-end interior outfitted and customized specifically to their needs.

Leading Technology Innovatively designed with cutting-edge onboard systems and an advanced EASy II flight deck, the 7X is at the forefront of business jet technology.

Brand Prestige Being that the Dassault brand has a legacy rooted in aeronautics, it carries with it a certain cachet among aviators. The 7X is the latest and greatest from this brand renaissance.

Strong Operator Support Over 300 7Xs have been delivered to operators around the world, and Dassault provides technical support from a wealth of experience.

With the 7X still remains arguably the most capable and high-end jet out there for corporations and individuals looking to buy, even corporate need to consider it.

Final Thoughts

The Dassault Falcon 7X is in an elite class all its own, a top-shelf business jet. Offering uncompromising range, speed, comfort and digital systems with a pedigree, this aircraft. Its enormous capabilities and luxuries will be enjoyed from both the cockpit and cabin.

FAQs

What cabin layout options are there for the Falcon 7X? The Falcon 7X is able to provide an unprecedented amount of flexibility with how the interior can be arranged. Multiple seating plans are available, from an 8-passenger commuter configuration to a 14-passenger high-density charter configuration.

The owners can opt for forward divans and side facing club seats, conference groups and private staterooms - all to taste. Many custom cabin layouts fit within what Dassault is capable of.

How much baggage can you keep or carry in the Falcon 7X? The Falcon 7X also offers considerable baggage volume capable of accommodating up to 215 cubic feet of luggage and gear. That big rear hold lets the aircraft carry baggage for all passengers on long haul trips. It is pressurized and can be accessed in-flight.

Is there an auto-throttle system in the Falcon 7X? Indeed, the Falcon 7X has an advanced state-of-the-art high-technology digital flight control system which includes auto-throttles.

The auto-throttle enables optimized power settings during all flight phases, reducing pilot workload while helping to maximize fuel efficiency. It's a central part of the digitally-linked systems on the plane.

How long does it take to refuel a Falcon 7X?

The Falcon 7X can be completely refueled in around 30 minutes using an average single fuel truck pumping at 1,200 liters/min. The fueling mechanism is suited for quick reachievement of lift - it can change over between flights in a matter of minutes.