Dassault

China's Growing Appetite For Private Planes

Filed under: Wings

The growing Chinese appetite for luxury goods has boosted many different sectors. The next might be the private aviation industry. Recent reports says that China is lifting many of its restrictions on airspace, allowing private jets to travel more freely in and out of the country. Private flights used to require a week's notice but now flight plans can be approved more quickly. Part of the reason for the loosening of the rules is that Chinese executives are now investing in more places around the world and need faster access.

Manufacturers of helicopters and small private planes are moving in to the territory. According to the AFP, France's Dassault Falcon just moved its Asia office from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Although there are only around 150 business jets in China, it is expected that will change very rapidly. Eventually Dassault plans to sell around 10 business jets a year in China, at a list price of between $30 and $50 million. Private jet maker Gulfstream already has a strong foothold in the country with a 63 percent market share on large-cabin business jets in China, including Hong Kong and Macau.

The interest in private jets will also probably extend to makers of helicopters and smaller planes including Eurocopter, Bell, Robinson, Agusta and Cessna. It will also be boom time for pilot training and could benefits resorts that will be able to construct helipads and offer weekend getaways for the growing wealthy Chinese population.

Tags: china, dassault, gulfsteam, private jets

The Ultimate Flying Machine? BMW trims out business jet

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Wings

BMW DesignworksUSA Falcon 7X business jet interior - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Thanks to its unique "ability to create designs consistent with individual brands, as exemplified by BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars," Dassault Aviation tasked BMW Group DesignworksUSA with the job of outfitting the interior of its newest Falcon 7X business jet. The results were just debuted at the European business aviation community event in Geneva, and John Rosanvallon, President and CEO of Dassault Falcon, sounds pleased. He says, "Thanks to DesignworksUSA's transportation design expertise and hard work, the new Falcon 7X interior cabin reflects our goal to define a new level of flying experience."

Sounds like a winner to us. According to Verena Kloos, BMW Group DesignworksUSA President, "DesignworksUSA created the theme of "Elegance and Style fused with Function." Our concept focuses on the sensory elements of the flying experience emphasizing form follows feeling."

It's hard to say what that means exactly, but one of the more interesting design elements has to be the lighting solution, which creates the effect of a starry night sky through the use of what appears to be little LEDs embedded in the ceiling and larger glowing orbs in the valence panels. Looks like a pretty nice place to spend some time while jet-setting to your next chosen destination. Check out the full press release after the break for more.

Gallery: BMW DesignworksUSA Dassault Falcon 7X interior

[Source: BMW]

Tags: bmw, bmw designworks, bmw designworks usa, bmw designworksusa, BmwDesignworks, BmwDesignworksUsa, dassault, dassault aviation, dassault falcon, dassault falcon 7x, DassaultAviation, DassaultFalcon, DassaultFalcon7x

Continue reading “The Ultimate Flying Machine? BMW trims out business jet”

Citigroup's $50 Million Plane

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

Last month, the AP mentioned that unlike the car companies that were feeling the heat over their private jets, bailed-out financial firms were still flying high. That run seems to be over with the news that Citigroup has spent $50 million on a Dassault Falcon 7X, which it ordered two years ago. The French jet seats 12 in leather seats and and has a top speed of 559 mph.

Michigan's senior senator Carl Levin was angry over the news. He sees the fact that Citigroup can buy a new jet while receiving a multibillion dollar bailout as a double standard since Michigan's automakers have been forced to sell their planes. Levin plans to ask new U.S. Treausry Secretary Timohty Geithner to do what he can to block the sale. So far Citigroup has received $45 billion in government funding. According o the NY Post, Citigroup is trying to sell two of their older Dassault 900EXs which are worth an estimated $27 million each.

The bank said it has reduced its number of aircraft dramatically over the past eight years and that it would have to forfeit a deposit if it did not take delivery of the plane (the same rationale Starbucks used to justify its new Gulfstream 550 jet). A spokesperson for President Obama commented that the President does not feel that this type of spending is the best use of taxpayer assistance.

UPDATE: After receiving pressure from the White House, Citigroup has decided not to take possession of the new plane.

Source

Tags: citigroup, dassault, dassault falcon 7x, DassaultFalcon7x

NetJets Falcon 7X by Lord Norman Foster

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

When NetJets Europe placed the largest order in business aviation history with manufacturer Dassault, for 33 Falcon 7X aircraft, they decided that the $1.5 billion worth of jets needed a little something special. The company commissioned British architect Lord Norman Foster (above) to design the interior and exterior of the high-tech planes, the fastest Falcon ever made. Foster drew on his experience both as a pilot and a NetJets client for the project, the result of which was just unveiled. The 33 7X's are being integrated into the NetJets fleet over the next eight years.

Foster's 7X is "thematically zoned into a well-being space for customers and a work space for crew." The passenger cabin is "light and tranquil" featuring leather seating, a cream and tan color scheme and Fiddleback Sycamore wood fittings. Foster designed the seating arrangements to accommodate both business meetings and an "enhanced sleeping and dining experience." The work area is markedly different with an industrial vibe featuring a grey and black color scheme, employing carbon fiber and steel for the galley and crew areas.

Gallery: Falcon 7X by Lord Norman Foster