Aircraft Overview: Dassault Falcon 2000LXS

The Falcon 2000LXS is a twin-engine business jet produced by French manufacturer Dassault Aviation that is one of the commercial designations of the French manufacturer’s Falcon 2000EX. 

Although the Falcon 2000EX was certified on March 7, 2003, the Falcon 2000LXS—which replaced the Falcon 2000LX in airframe manufacturer’s product line—was certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on March 19, 2013. 

Previously launched on Oct. 29, 2012, the EASA type certificate data sheet (TCDS) notes that the 2000LXS specifically refers to Falcon 2000EX EASy airframes that incorporate modification M5000, a change that includes “various improvements.” 

In addition to modification M5000, airframes marketed as the 2000LXS also feature four other modifications: M2846, which installs winglets; M3254 for the Enhanced Avionics System (EASy) II flight deck, M3390 that increased the weight-and-balance envelope “for takeoff,” and M3605 which removed the “autobrake function.” 

A limitation that is common to all Falcon 2000EX commercial designations is the maximum passenger seating capacity of 19, as is the requirement for two pilots. 

On the Falcon 2000LXS, those passengers are accommodated in a cabin that has a length of 26 ft. 2 in., height of 6 ft. 2 in., width of 7 ft. 8 in. and volume of 1,024 ft.³ Dassault states that both the cabin length and volume do not include the “flight deck and baggage,” while 130.6 ft.³ of baggage volume is also available. 

Pilots operate the Falcon 2000LXS using the EASy II flight deck that is based on Honeywell’s Primus Epic integrated avionics system and which features four displays that are configured in ‘T’ layout. 

An available feature for the 2000LXS’ avionics is the FalconEye combined vision system (CVS), a system that “combines” terrain mapping that is database-driven and synthetic with “actual thermal and low-light camera images.” 

The output of the FalconEye CVS is shown on head-up displays (HUD) that are described as being high-definition and large, with that system providing situational awareness benefits and giving pilots “guidance on approaches down to 100 ft. before the runway is sighted.”

Powering the Falcon 2000LXS are a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PW308C turbofan engines that, according to the EASA TCDS, have takeoff and maximum-continuous static thrust ratings—uninstalled and assuming ISA and sea-level altitude—of 6,998 lb. 

That same document states that “the takeoff thrust rating is time limited to 5 min.” 

Weight limitations of this version of the Falcon 2000EX include a 42,800 lb. maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) and a maximum landing weight of 39,300 lb., in addition to the maximum fuel weight of 16,660 lb. 

The 2000LXS also features leading-edge wing slats that are full span and which are marketed as being “optimized,” with those slats contributing to the airplane’s “airfield performance.” 

Beyond the benefits of the leading-edge slats, Dassault also promotes the wing itself as being both efficient at high speeds and “optimized for low-speed stability,” with the wing’s efficiency being a factor in the airplane’s cost of operation.  

The performance limitations of the Falcon 2000EX include a maximum operating altitude of 47,000 ft. and maximum operating Mach numbers (M_MO) of 0.862/0.85 Mach. 

Beyond that maximum operating altitude, the Falcon 2000LXS is able to, in 20 min., directly climb to 41,000 ft. 

Based on carrying eight passengers and National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) instrument flight rules (IFR) reserves, the 2000LXS has a range of 4,000 nm. 

Other performance figures include a 4,675-ft. takeoff distance that assumes the airplane’s MTOW, sea-level altitude and International Standard Atmosphere (ISA). 

At a “typical landing weight,” a 105-kt. indicated airspeed (KIAS) approach speed is possible, while the unfactored landing distance at the same weight—and also assuming ISA and sea-level altitude—is 2,260 ft.