CARLOS BRANA, DASSAULT AVIATION Carlos Brana leads Dassault Aviation’s business aviation efforts as executive vice president of civil aircraft, under parent company Dassault and its sister firm Dassault Systèmes. Dassault Aviation builds the Falcon jet series, which it developed, and the Rafale fighter. BusinessAIR posed three questions to Brana on the history of the Falcon line, service network, and the company’s path toward sustainability.
QUESTION 1
BusinessAIR: This year, Dassault reflects on 60 years since it launched the Mystère 20—the Falcon 20—entering the realm of business jets. How does the company’s heritage with its military platforms continue to inform advanced tech in the latest Falcons, the 7X, 8X, and now the 6X? Carlos Brana: Every Falcon, starting with the Falcon 20, has benefited from military technology transfer. The first Falcon’s construction techniques, including wing design, and its flight controls were borrowed from Dassault fighters. It’s one reason pilots have loved the way Falcons handle from the beginning.
Dassault was the first to introduce HUD technology in a business jet (this was in 1993 on the Falcon 2000, another military transfer). In 2007, it introduced the first fly-by-wire business jet, the 7X, based on digital flight control technology developed over several generations of fighters. The digital flight controls on the 8X and 6X are further refined and will make another advance with the 10X. That aircraft will have a Smart Throttle—one throttle digitally controlling both engines and tied into the digital flight control system. This is a transfer from the current twin-engine Rafale fighter.
QUESTION 2
BusinessAIR: Dassault already has fuel-efficiency leaders in the large-cabin class in its Falcon 2000LXS and 900LX, as a key part of its sustainability story to the market. What has been incorporated into the 6X and 10X to continue that leadership? Carlos Brana: The latest Falcons have refined aerodynamics and the latest, most fuel-efficient engines. Both aircraft have all new wings optimized for efficiency. As with all Falcons, they have slats and flaps allowing high lift and low approach speeds, and a reduced wing area more efficient during cruise. For the 10X, Dassault has developed
composite wings spanning 110 feet to achieve the lowest drag and weight possible. Even with their largest-in-class fuselage cross sections, the 6X and 10X compare well to competing aircraft. Nevertheless, the sustainability story has shifted to SAF. Dassault uses it on its company flights, typically at a 30 percent blend. Many Falcon operators set a good example by using SAF as often as possible. The 10X breaks new ground in being 100 percent SAF capable. To achieve meaningful emissions reductions, that is where the emphasis needs to be.
QUESTION 3
BusinessAIR: Workforce concerns ripple throughout aerospace manufacturing. What does Dassault do to ensure it is attracting the right human capital into its locations around France and globally? Carlos Brana: Right now, the supply chain (which has been disrupted for the entire industry as a result of the
COVID-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine) presents more challenges than recruiting. Dassault has also a very positive brand image and employer attractiveness based on career opportunities in engineering and manufacturing. The passion for aviation, technology, corporate strong culture, and values also make our company very good at attracting and retaining talents.
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