At today’s annual financial analyst meeting, Dassault Aviation chairman and CEO Charles Edelstenne announced record results for the second consecutive year for Falcons. Last year the company recorded firm sales for 158 jets, including an order from NetJets Europe for 24 Falcon 7X trijets. “Driven by growth outside North America, the worldwide market for business jets remained impressive in 2006,” said Edelstenne. “It wasn’t long ago that 40 percent of our sales came from outside the U.S., but that number has grown to more than 60 percent this year,” primarily by Western Europe. Dassault said it had a total backlog of more than 300 Falcons at the end of last year, including more than 150 Falcon 7Xs. The company expects to deliver more than 80 aircraft this year compared with 61 last year. “Delivery rates will continue to increase” next year. FAA and EASA certifications of the 7X are expected soon, with first deliveries in the second quarter.