Judging by the pace at which recovery is demand in the large-cabin compared to the rest, the principle is clear: the more the better. Backlog at Gulfstream G650 more than 200 units - convincing proof of this. It is in the spirit of this principle is developing new programs debut Dassault - the largest family of Falcon aircraft 5X for $ 45 million This is the biggest sensation of the annual Salon Business Aviation NBAA-2013.
Previously held codenamed SMS, the newest member of the family of Falcon received the widest cross-section of the fuselage in its class, that is a little wider than the flagship Gulfstream - G650. However, significantly shorter cabin because if withstand 5200 nautical miles range (at a speed of 0.8 M), with dimensions not more razmahneshsya cabin. And if you fly with a normal cruising speed of 0.85 M, the range will be reduced to 4,750 nautical miles.
5X - the first in the last decade Falcon, created from scratch. He has little in common with 7X, which went into operation in 2007: a new fuselage, new wing, new Silvercrest turbofan engine from Safran Snecma, new features digital flight control system (so employees prefer to call FBWCS Dassault).
Despite comparisons with G650, the new Falcon is designed as a direct competitor aircraft Gulfstream G450 (with a range of 4,200 nautical miles, but not the new one) and the Bombardier Global 5000 (with a range of 5,400 nautical miles, but very voracious). Undeniable advantages 5X - substantially less empty weight, improved aerodynamics and new engines, fuel efficiency which is 10-15% higher than those of competitors - will allow him to bypass the two rivals in the parameter fuel efficiency by one third. Dassault claims that the direct operating costs 5X will be 30% lower than the G450, and 35% lower than the Global 5000.
I must say that was not originally 5X neither so large nor so long-range, what the public saw him. When designers Dassault started design studies SMS programs in 2006, the intention was that the manufacturer to compete with the then leader of sales: Bombardier Challenger 300, Gulfstream G250 (now G280) and Embraer Legacy 600. However, due to the financial crisis, demand for aircraft middle and lower dimension collapsed.
However, the business jet market class large-cabin began to recover very quickly, already in 2009, so designers Dassault returned to their monitors with CATIA software and SMS have changed beyond recognition. He became the largest and most technologically advanced in the Falcon family, and certainly serve as a basis for new models, more capacious and long-range. So it is very likely that before the European business aviation cabin EBACE-2014 we will witness a new announced a new addition to the illustrious family.
Round in cross-section fuselage 5X in diameter by 20 cm more than the previous model Falcon. Therefore, although the length of the cabin 13 cm shorter than 7X its volume by 14%, while the interior 10 cm above the floor and 25 cm wide. Salon, 770 cm long, is divided into three zones: the club section in the front zone, conference grouping of four seats in the middle and an isolated room in the back, which will house the night six passengers on fold-out chairs in flat beds.
In a transparent partition mounted at the tail Interior electrochromic glass that darkens by pressing
Some tidbits interspersed with interior design. Armrests and seat and back design reminiscent of a cocoon, so the passenger feels as if he takes up space, and designed exclusively for him. There is a built-in slot for individual monitors, Wi-Fi provides an opportunity to use the iPad or iPhone as a device management system onboard entertainment.
Cabin pressure at flight level FL410 is at 1190 m above sea level at FL FL510 - 1830 m
Standard arrangement provides three lounges, located in the central section of the four club chairs
Dassault customers said that they would like more of the scattered light in the cabin. Therefore 5X is 28 windows, the biggest ever adorned aircraft Falcon. They are 1 inch (2.5 cm) higher than 7X, and if the count window unit area per cubic meter compartment, it will be the same as that of the windows 16 in the broad G650.
The luggage compartment volume of 4.4 m3 in the rear of the fuselage will be available at all stages of the flight. In the tail is another trunk, unsealed.
Each passenger has his own personal space with a locker for the aircraft, seperate charger for electronic devices and control panel with a touch screen. For an explanation of the icons instead of labels applied
Airframe and systems Falcon 5X not embody any radical technology, so the first operators hardly face any "childhood diseases". The main part of the airframe will be made from aluminum alloys, composites will be used in the production of the empennage, fairings, nacelles and other auxiliary structures.
Designed from scratch wing area of 72 m2 for the first time (from Dassault) originally designed conjugated wingtips (winglets). It differs straight leading edge sweep rather modest (33 °), and its aerodynamic efficiency by 5-10% better than the 7X. Corporate cruciform tail Falcon remained, but the plane stabilizer not downcast.
Form bow also traced anew, including cabin windows, whose area is 32% more than the Falcon 7X, which significantly improves visibility during takeoff, approach and landing. Designers and care about the comfort of pilots, cabin roomier, more space to the ceiling and chairs, so that any of them can be tilted by 130 ° for a short relaxation. Behind the right chair is a folding seat for the third crew member.
Aircraft systems were revised and modernization. 5X is the first of Falcon, which will be the main electrical system with AC starter-generator variable frequency 115, which eliminates the need for separate air or electric starter. Two main hydraulic systems will each subsystem and electric pumping station to provide backup drive control surfaces. The system, which will remain virtually unchanged - fuel - will include two tank pressurization system and booster pumps with dual redundant.
Dassault developed digital control system (FBWCS) based on the architecture of Falcon 7X, but will integrate more functions, including on the first business jet flaperons, which combine the functions of the flap, spoiler and brake flap in one surface. Side knob left and right signal is transmitted to the three major and three backup computer. Although the basic control surfaces are actuated by hydraulic actuators, flaps - unlike 7X - will be fully electric.
Falcon family is known for its high fuel efficiency, and 5X is no exception. Any other business jet class of large-cabin fail to squeeze many miles from a gallon of fuel on similar flights, except that the other aircraft Dassault - Falcon 2000S and 2000LXS. One of the reasons - cruising speed 5X is 0.80 M, which by today's standards relatively slowly. While other manufacturers are "dispersed" their planes to 0.85-0.90 M, reducing the longest flight for an hour or more, Dassault market research showed that long-standing (and most loyal) Falcon aircraft operators appreciate the cabin comfort, range and price more than speed.
With eight passengers on board at 0.80 M Falcon 5X flight from London to Tokyo, from Beijing to Minneapolis from New York to Tel Aviv for 11.5 hours at speed 0.85M fly from London to Houston from Detroit to Moscow or from Sao Paulo to Lisbon will be for 10 hours
Dassault aims to make 5X the most reliable and easy to maintain aircraft ever built by the famous French. Scheduled maintenance will be carried out every 800 hours of flight time (or every 12 months). Manufacturer intends to offer customized service programs. Moreover, Dassault is developing a new board system monitoring and control system that will keep track of more than 10 thousand options - something similar with the orange "boxes", which are used during flight tests. In this system health indicators will be sent to the manufacturer in real time. Factory warranty will cover more warranty claims than before.
Since 5X - not another derivative and thoroughly-designed a new model, it is a base for the development of new models of Falcon larger capacity and greater range, which will constitute direct competition with the latest aircraft being developed by Bombardier and Gulfstream. So it's not just the latest (and not the last!) Model Dassault, is the next step after 7X landmark in the history of the company, perhaps, the end of three-engine era and the beginning of a new line of twin-engine aircraft-grade large-cabin with characteristic large portholes. These aircraft will be more comfortable, more economical and technically perfect.
Fred George
AVIATION WEEK
