Dassault early last month confirmed to AIN that the Falcon 2000LX, a winglet-equipped 2000EX, is slated for certification next month, following several delays. Certification flights with FAA and EASA pilots were scheduled to begin on a development aircraft in Tucson, Ariz., last month.

The most recent issue concerned the leading-edge slats. After a test that was beyond normal operations but still within the flight envelope, these high-lift devices showed some deformation. A Dassault source noted that although it has no effect on handling qualities, such deformation on a customer aircraft would cause costly repairs and was therefore unacceptable. So Dassault engineers worked out a further change in the motion of the slats. “Slats extend differently with winglets,” he said.

First deliveries of the Falcon 2000LX are pegged for “the end of the first quarter.”
Customers who were to receive their aircraft in the middle of last year have been offered 2000EXs with the 2000LX’s wing stiffeners. This will allow the winglets to be easily installed once they are certified.

The Falcon 2000LX will have a range of 4,000 nm, 200 nm more than its predecessor, the 2000EX.