Page 25 - AAA MARCH - APRIL 2014 Online Magazine

INTERVIEW DASSULT FALCON

Thierry de Poncins,
International Sales director
for Dassault Aviation Civil
Aircraft in India
though delivery is still three years away. We also operate a sales/support office customers, who want to arrive fresh after
Our 60-year presence in India, both in in Delhi (Dassault Aircraft Services India a long 13 hour flight. The wide, long cabin
the military and civil domain, is a also a plus. Ltd), and a technical office in Mumbai can accommodate up to 16 passengers
We are approaching the 20th that serves Falcons flying everywhere and is equipped with 2 large sofas at
anniversary of the first Indian Falcon in the region, including Bangladesh and the back that converts into a king size
delivery, a Falcon 200 acquired by Tata. Myanmar. We will soon add a Falcon type bed. Noise suppression and low altitude
Tata and Taj Air, its charter subsidiary, rated Indian field representative. pressurization systems ensure a pleasant
continue to operate Falcon 2000 Series Spare parts are available in Mumbai environment, particularly valuable during
aircraft and their facility in Mumbai is an and Chennai, in addition to Singapore, long intercontinental flights. We also
authorized Falcon maintenance center. Dubaï and our big warehouse in Paris, offer a shower option, the first of which
Dassault’s strong presence in the Indian which can deliver parts to Indian was delivered last year, and an optional
Air Force, which operates a large Mirage customers within hours. We offer pilot crew rest area for long duration flights.
2000 fleet and in January 2012 selected the training in Dubaï and may also provide Two lavatories and a huge luggage
Rafale for its Medium Multi-Role Aircraft technical training there, too. compartment are part of the standard
mission, is particularly appreciated by aircraft configuration.
local customers, who fully understand If you could share some highlights The 7X is powered by 3 engines for
the value of technology spinoffs between of the 7X in terms of passenger better flexibility, performance and systems
fighters jets and Falcon business jets. comfort and safety? redundancy and added safety. There are
The 7X is the most technologically no ETOPS regulation constraints, allowing
What kind of a local support you have advanced business jet available on the the 7X to fly direct overwater routes that
in India in terms of spare parts centers, market today. Despite some early teething save time and fuel.
technical field teams, light maintenance? issues, the airplane is now problem Total operating costs are between
We believe that service is a key selling free and more than 200 are in operation 20% to 60% less than other aircraft in its
point, and consequently maintain a dense worldwide, including two based with large category .
support network everywhere Falcons corporations in Delhi. 7X technology, derived largely from the
are flown. In addition to our other Asian The 11,000km range 7X offers military aircraft we produce, is ten years
service centers in Singapore, Hong-Kong unmatched performance even from ahead of rival aircraft and customers
and Dubaï, we operate a pair of approved elevated hot and short runways. Thanks appreciate what this means in terms
service centers in Mumbai, backed up to its steep approach and short field of operating efficiency and costs. The
by satellite facilities in Delhi, Bangalore, capability, it can fly non-stop from any aircraft was the first in business aviation
Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune and Kolkata, place in India to London City Airport, to be equipped with a fly by wire flight
and are contemplating additional shaving two hours off the typical London control system, and its Fly By Wire system
partnerships to reinforce the network. business trip. is still the most advanced on the market.
Dassault Falcon Service, our big factory And from other London area airports, the Its EASy flightdeck is the most efficient
owned service center at Paris-Le Bourget, 7X can fly non-stop to anywhere in the U.S. interactive cockpit on any business jet,
handles heavy maintenance and C check The 7X cabin is particularly affording better crew coordination and
for Indian customers. appreciated by our very demanding added safety - our number one priority.
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