Quick Look: Dassault Falcon 50/50EX

With three engines, the Falcon 50 isn’t the most fuel efficient or affordable jet in its class, but it musters a solid Mach 0.8 cruise on about 2,500 pounds per hour of fuel. The major expense comes when the owner has to overhaul three engines instead of two. But Dassault’s logic when the 50 was designed in the 1970s was that the three-engine design would be far more confidence-inspiring on ocean hops.

In outward appearance, the 50 and 50EX are identical. But in the cockpit, the changes are clear. The 50EX, introduced for the 1997 model year, swaps analog gauges for a four-tube Collins Pro Line 4 avionics package. Under the cowlings, the EX’s FADEC-controlled Honeywell TFE-731s produce the same thrust as the 50, but maintain that thrust to a much higher altitude. The EX has a service ceiling of FL490 compared to the 50’s FL410. The EX provides much quicker climbs to higher initial altitudes, where it can cruise faster on slightly less fuel. The result is about a 200-nautical-mile boost in range, or a trade for faster speed. Operators typically fly the 50 at Mach 0.8/460 KTAS at altitudes of FL360 to FL410. First-hour fuel burn is about 2,800 lbs, second hour is 2,200, and subsequent flight hours are 1,800 lbs/hr. Endurance is six to seven hours with the maximum 15,500-pound fuel capacity. One Falcon 50EX operator said he can fill the eight seats and the fuel tanks—and his airplane weighed in at a heavy 23,300-pound empty weight. He did admit that it got cramped with eight in the cabin.

With leading-edge slats and big, effective flaps, the 50 series shines when it comes to runway performance. Balanced field length is less than 5,000 feet. The 50 posts excellent hot-and-high numbers as well, able to lift big loads out of places such as Denver and Mexico City. Although touted as an intercontinental jet, the 50 comes up a little short on range in real-world operations. One operator described the 50EX he flew as a perfect Chicago-based airplane, because it could comfortably make any airport in the continent from that city. West Coast trips from his Boston base often left him wanting another 1,000 pounds of fuel capacity. He admitted that he liked landing with no less than an hour-plus-20 fuel in the tanks, however. Those wanting to stretch the range can opt for winglets from Aviation Partners, which claim a 5- to 7-percent range boost.

Vref values a 1980 Falcon 50 at an average retail of $850,000, ranging to $7.5 million for a 2007 model 50EX. Falcon 50s possess responsive, light controls and are a joy to fly. In fact, the jet is so thoughtfully designed that no stick shaker or pusher is required. For those whose mission involves access to shorter runways, the 50 delivers with confidence. Of course, the downside is the fuel burn and overhaul costs of that third turbine engine.