Falcon 20

BRIEF HISTORY – FALCON 20 – THAT’S FAN JET FALCON TO YOU

DASSAULT | MYSTÈRE 20 | FALCON 20 (1965-1991)
In 1954, Dassault began developing a liaison plane that would be different from any twin-engine vehicle it had ever produced. The pod-mounted engines were moved from under the wing to the back of the fuselage during research on the Mystère 100 in 1959. A similar plane, the Mystère 20, was being considered two years later.The Mystère 20 is a ten-seat twin-engine plane that can reach Mach 0.8 cruising speeds. The new plane was originally intended for Europe-wide liaison flights with a range of 1000 to 1500 kilometers. Then, in order to compete in the lucrative American market, designers stretched the plane’s wings, increasing its range to almost 2 000 km.The aircraft was first known as the Dassault-Breguet Mystère 20 and received authorization to continue development in December 1961.The prototype flew for the first time on 4 May 1963. On June 3rd, 1965, the first production plane was unveiled. The first prototype was used by French flyer Jacqueline Auriol on June 10, 1965, to set the women’s world speed record.American-delivered aircraft were sold under the name Fan Jet Falcon as a result of an early distributor agreement with Pan American (Pan Am); it rapidly became generally known as the Falcon 20. Pan Am Business Jets Division had placed orders for 160 Falcon 20s by 1968, proving that American orders were valued early on. Several operators, both civil and military, placed substantial orders for the type soon after, including the French Navy, the United States Coast Guard, and Federal Express, among others. The Falcon 20 needed to increase its performance to remain competitive in an ever advanced market. Dassault would upgrade the aircraft engines numerous time essentially doubling its range. The newest version would have been the Falcon 20F-5BR. The jets subsequently released, Falcon 10, Falcon 200, and the bigger trijet Falcon 50 were direct developments of the Falcon 20. The twin-engine Falcon 200 was a follow-on to the enormously popular Falcon 20, an airplane designed to fighter jet specifications with an unlimited-life airframe. It was initially delivered in 1983 and manufactured until 1988. Rumor goes, Dassault would go on later to regret it and scramble to recover the 33 F200’s but the owners were having none of it and would retain ownership. It is said that Dassault was afraid they had built an aircraft that threatened the success of its more expensive variants to be released. Dassault refuses to comment on the situation or even acknowledge it ever existed.

CABIN COMFORTS – FALCON 20
Classified as a Midsize Jet it boasts one of the largest in-class cabins, with measurements of 5 feet 8 inches in height, 6 feet 1 inch in widTH, and 24 feet 4 inches in length. It is outfitted with 8 executive chairs or six individual executive chairs that rotate and recline, as well as a side-facing 3-place divan, which can accommodate up to nine passengers in comfort. A dining/writing table is included in each of the six/eight separate chairs. A full galley with microwave is positioned near the flight deck, and a fully enclosed with a solid door, stand-up lavatory is located aft. It has a forward baggage compartment measuring 35 cubic feet and one aft, 15 cubic feet.

POWER AND PERFORMANCE – FALCON 20
The Falcon 20 received a few engine upgrades after it was released to the market to boost speed and power. Under a Dassault service bulletin, the Falcon 20 was given a fresh lease on life when it was upgraded with more powerful and efficient Garrett TFE731 turbofans. The Falcon 20C-5, D-5, E-5, and F-5 were the designations for aircraft fitted with these upgraded engines.The new engines not only increase aircraft power, but they also improve other aspects of the aircraft. The Falcon 20-5 takes just 27 minutes to reach 39,000 feet, which is seven minutes faster than the preceding engines. The aircraft’s maximum take-off weight can be increased by 850 pounds, bringing it to 30,325 pounds. The engines also help to extend the range to 2,258 nautical miles.Furthermore, in the mid-1980s, Garrett began a program to replace the Falcon’s original GE engines with its new 4,400-pound-thrust TFE731-5AR, and later, 4,750-pound-thrust -5BR engines, which roughly quadrupled the aircraft’s range and significantly enhanced performance. Approximately 125 conversions were completed by Garrett and its successor businesses. Many of these reengineered planes received new avionics as well.

FLIGHT DECK – FALCON 20
Dassault outfitted the cockpit with Collins Pro Line 4 system with APS 30 autopilot in the cockpit. Other technologies in the cockpit include the Sperry Primus 400 color weather radar, which reduces workload and improves alertness.The Falcon 20-5 has evolved within the midsize jet category, with better and more powerful engines thanks to better integrated technology throughout the aircraft. The Falcon 20-5 enables seamless travel on every flight because of its increased speed, range, and climb performance.

CHARTER A FALCON 20
The fact that the Falcon 20 has been flying for decades should be a reassurance of confidence in the machine’s reliability as it remains a strong choice for passengers departing on mid-range journeys at a low cost. The Falcon 20’s origins may be traced back to military use in the French military, thus it’s no wonder that it has a respectable top speed. Its cabin is amongst the largest in the midsize jet category. You and your passengers will be comfortable the entire trip. CharterJets Inc. features the newest and highest safety rated Learjet Falcon 20’s available. Reach out today to discuss your upcoming travel!