The 3,900-nmi range, 12- to 19-passenger Dassault Falcon Jet 900B will end a nine-year production run that began in 1991 when it's replaced by the DFJ 900C in less than two years. The newest variant of the widebody Falcon 900 family will be fitted with the Honeywell five-tube, large format Primus 2000 EFIS/EIED system that's currently installed in the top-of-the-line, 4,500-nm range DFJ 900EX. Certification of the Primus 2000-equipped 900B is expected in the second quarter of 1999 and customer deliveries for the year 2000.

While the new avionics suite won't increase the 900C's performance compared to that of the 900B, pilots will appreciate the reduced workload associated with the eight-by-seven inch CRT displays, plus other avionics upgrades. The 900EX's autothrottle system won't be offered, but the Primus 2000 includes dual LASREF III IRSes, dual, fail-active CAT II autopilots, dual NZ 2000 FMSes (third FMS optional) and Primus 870 turbulence detection radar. The Primus 2000 will be complemented by AlliedSignal enhanced GPWS and Rockwell Collins Pro Line II CNI radios with color-display radio tuning units.

By Fred George