Dassault's Chairman Charles Edelstenne says he is slightly surprised
but rather pleased by a recent upswing in orders and interest in
the Falcon jet family. "With a market slowdown evident even
before 9/11," he says "a recovery only became noticeable
in the last few months. The pre-owned market is now looking much
stronger and the last quarter of this year may see a significant
increase in our current total of 25 orders. We may also deliver
more than the 40 aircraft we have planned."
Edelstenne's comments were echoed by John Rosanvalon, president
and CEO of Dassault Falcon Jet. He noted that the encouraging signs
of new orders had come "not so much in the last few months
but in the last few weeks. We have 25 orders (a net figure that
includes some cancellations)but I expect that to climb well beyond
30 and closer to 40. Now that's far from the 70 or 80 orders we
had in 'the great years' but it is a sign of a turn around."
Edelstenne and Rosanvalon also noted that the company is back on track to
deliver the first EASy cockpit-equipped Falcon 900EX, although the
program had suffered a delay. In common with most users of the new
Honeywell Epic cockpit fit (on which the EASy is based) the 900EX
has struggled, but according to Edelstenne "our troubles are
now behind us and the results meet our expectations."
Dassault expects FAA and JAA certification in November, and first
deliveries to follow immediately. With FAA pilots now flying the
900EX EASy, and more jets ready and waiting for delivery, Dassault
just needs "the final stamp" of approval. The first fully
functional demonstration of the Falcon 2000EX EASy cockpit is on
show here at NBAA. The Falcon 2000EX EASy will follow the 900EX
EASy into customers' hands in early 2004.
