Falcon 20

Falcon 20
Peter Bakema · GFDL 1.2 · source
Name	Dassault-Breguet Mystère 20 / Falcon 20
Caption	A Dassault-Breguet Mystère 20 in flight
Type	Business jet / light transport
Manufacturer	Dassault Aviation, originally Dassault-Breguet
First flight	4 May 1963
Introduced	1965
Status	Retired from many roles; limited civilian and special-mission service
Primary users	Dassault Aviation demonstration, civil operators, air forces
Produced	1963–1988
Number built	~473

Falcon 20 The Falcon 20 is a twin-engine corporate jet developed by Dassault Aviation during the 1960s as the Mystère 20 before being marketed as the Falcon series. It served as a pioneering executive transport that influenced later business jet design and supported diverse roles including air ambulance service, freight operations, and governmental special missions. Noted for its low-wing monoplane layout and turbofan engines, it established Dassault as a major competitor in the global business aviation market.

Development and Design

Dassault initiated the Mystère 20 program drawing on experience from the Dassault Mystère and Dassault Mirage fighters, integrating civil standards influenced by Sud Aviation practices and guidance from French authorities such as the Direction générale de l'Aviation civile. The prototype flew on 4 May 1963 with twin rear-fuselage-mounted turbofan engines sourced from General Electric collaborations; development involved engineers and test pilots with ties to Socata and consultancy from international firms including contacts in Lockheed and Boeing supply chains. The design combined a capacious pressurized fuselage, a supercritical wing concept later refined in contemporaries like the Learjet 35 and Gulfstream I, and avionics suites that evolved with modules from Honeywell and Collins Aerospace. Certification campaigns engaged authorities such as the Federal Aviation Administration and Direction générale de l'Aviation civile with production tooling shared between Dassault facilities and subcontractors across France and the United States.

Operational History

The Falcon 20 entered service with corporate clients, high-profile individuals, and private operators including firms connected to Jean-Luc Lagardère and executives from Air France subsidiaries. It became prominent in North American operations, competing with models from Cessna and Lockheed conversions. The airframe proved adaptable: operators repurposed Falcons for aerial surveys, medevac missions alongside providers like Air Methods and logistical carriers tied to Federal Express trials. Falcon 20s participated in high-profile flights linked to politicians and entertainers associated with locations such as Paris, New York City, and Zurich, and saw service with regional airlines in alliances with companies like Olympic Air and KLM Cityhopper through wet-lease arrangements.

Variants and Modifications

Dassault and aftermarket firms developed multiple versions: corporate cabin layouts evolved into Falcon family derivatives, while dedicated conversions addressed cargo carriage, extended-range ferry flights, and maritime patrol roles. Airframe modifications incorporated structural reinforcements and avionics upgrades from Tracor and Rockwell Collins; engine retrofits used powerplants by Garrett AiResearch and Pratt & Whitney affiliates to improve fuel burn and noise compliance under International Civil Aviation Organization standards. Special-mission conversions included electronic surveillance suites by companies linked to Thales Group and sensor integrations influenced by programs run with contractors like BAE Systems and General Dynamics.

Military and Government Use

Several air forces and government agencies acquired Falcons for VIP transport, maritime patrol, and electronic reconnaissance. Operators ranged from European ministries in Brussels-linked diplomatic operations to North American federal agencies conducting border and customs work collaborating with contractors such as L-3 Communications and Raytheon. Military conversions added defensive aids, communications suites interoperable with NATO networks, and sensor pallets for missions coordinated with commands like NATO and national defense ministries. Falcons served in roles alongside platforms such as the P-3 Orion in maritime domains and complemented VIP fleets similar to those operated by RAF and national presidential air squadrons.

Accidents and Incidents

The Falcon 20 experienced a number of accidents over its service life involving factors investigated by agencies including the National Transportation Safety Board and counterparts in France, Canada, and Japan. Incidents ranged from runway excursions to mid-air collisions and were examined in reports that referenced air traffic control procedures overseen by organizations like Eurocontrol and accident investigators linked to BEA (France). Lessons from mishaps influenced retrofit programs and operational recommendations adopted by operators such as corporate flight departments of multinational corporations and charter carriers regulated by the FAA.

Operators

Civilian operators included corporate flight departments in United States and Europe, regional cargo carriers affiliated with logistics firms like FedEx Express trials, air ambulance providers connected to hospital networks in Canada and Australia, and charter operators in finance centers such as London and Singapore. Military and government users ranged from small air forces in South America and Africa to European ministries of transport and interior ministries managing VIP transport and surveillance tasks.

Specifications

- Crew: 2 (flight crew) - Capacity: typically 8–12 passengers in executive layout; up to 19 in commuter configurations - Length: ~16.2 m (53 ft) - Wingspan: ~15.0 m (49 ft) - Powerplant: two low-bypass turbofan engines (originally by General Electric), later retrofits by Garrett/Honeywell derivatives - Maximum cruise speed: ~780 km/h (420 kn) - Range: ~3,000 km (1,600 nmi) typical ferry/long-range configurations - Service ceiling: ~12,000 m (39,000 ft)

Category:Dassault aircraft