Dassault Aviation has developed and validated on a test bench a modification intended to resume the Falcon 7X flights with passengers. Depending on approvals from authorities and modification kit logistics, the first airplanes could have the modifications completed within about 10 days.

To achieve this goal Dassault is currently coordinating unprecedented logistics efforts to manage these modifications within its Falcon Authorized Service Center Network, its factory owned Service Centers and its factories. Additional dedicated retrofit lines have been set up in France, in Bordeaux Merignac and Istres; and in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Background

On Wednesday, May 25, 2011 a Falcon 7X experienced a pitch trim event during descent. The crew successfully recovered the aircraft to a stable flight profile and performed an uneventful landing.

At Dassault’s request, the EASA issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive to prohibit Falcon 7X operations on May 26 and the FAA followed on May 27. The request to stop flight operations immediately was the result of a conservative assessment by Dassault.

Dassault’s investigation has confirmed that the Falcon 7X control laws operated normally which has allowed development of a safe ferry procedure using Digital Flight Control System in normal mode.

The Falcon 7X fleet is comprised of 112 aircraft which have accumulated over 75,000 flight hours. This is the first event of this nature that’s been reported since the aircraft entered service in 2007.

Source: Dassault
Photo: Rob Vogelaar, ZAPP