The Dassault Family crafts jets with high standards of engineering, structural quality, and technological advancement. Although Dassault’s models have evolved and improved over time, the Falcon 100, a light, twin-turbo fan business jet, remains popular in the used aircraft market, and for good reasons. It was introduced for the first time in 1983 as the redesigned continuation of the Falcon 10. Following the redesign period, 37 Falcon 100s were built before production halted in 1989.
Some of the redesigned elements that distinguish the Falcon 100 from the 10 include an optional Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) glass cockpit; a larger, unpressurized rear baggage compartment; an increased maximum takeoff weight; and an additional cabin window, totaling four.
The Falcon 100 is powered by two Honeywell TFE 731-2-1C engines, rated at 3,230 lbs of thrust each. They have an inspection interval of 4,200 hours (on the core-engine).
Although the Falcon 100’s maximum payload of 1,547 lbs is a considerable decrease from its predecessor (2,360 lbs), the aircraft still excels in performance. With a certified flight ceiling of 45,000 feet, the Falcon boasts a high speed cruise of 476 knots (true airspeed) and a long range cruise of 431 knots. The 100’s maximum takeoff weight, a result of Falcon’s refinements, is 18,740 lbs. These numbers make the Falcon highly competitive with similar aircraft.
The Falcon 100 is the first certified private aircraft to use EFIS-technology and color screens in its cockpit. A typical avionics system in the Falcon 100 consists of: dual Collins VHF20A coms; dual VIR30A navs; dual Collins FCS 85 flight directors; dual Collins DME 42; dual Collins ADF 60A automatic direction finder; Collins ALT 55 radar altimeter; Collins APS 80 autopilot; Collins ADS 80 air data computer; Global GNS-XLS FMS; and a Sperry Primus 400 color weather radar. Owners/operators often comment on the intuitiveness and simplistic layout of Falcon’s cockpits.
Taking a look inside the aircraft, the cabin is able to seat six passengers in an executive-club configuration (nine in a high-density arrangement). Its dimensions, identical to the 10, are on the large side of the small cabin, light jet category: 12.9 ft in length, 4.8 ft in height, and 5 ft in width. A lavatory is located toward the front of the cabin.
Dassault always brings the best-of-the-best aircraft to the market. Designed from the already successful Falcon 10, the 100 boasts many of the same attributes with a few, key upgrades. Even as an older model, the Falcon 10/100 is a good, medium-range aircraft for executive use and continues to be sought-after by many.