The Long Range Jet Charter

The Dassault Falcon 50

The trijet Falcon 50 is a very substantial long range upgrade based on the earlier twinjet Myst�re/Falcon 20 and 200 family.The Dassault Falcon 50 was developed for long range trans Atlantic and transcontinental flight sectors, using the Falcon 20 as the design basis. However, to meet the 6440km (3475nm) range requirement significant changes mean that the Falcon 50 is for all intents and purposes an all new aircraft.

Key new features include three 16.6kN (3700lb) Garrett TFE731 turbofans, in place of the Falcon 20's two General Electric CF700s, mounted on a new area ruled tail section, plus a new supercritical wing of greater area than that on the 20 and 200. Falcon 20 components retained include the nose and fuselage cross section.

The first flight of the prototype Falcon 50 occurred in November 1976, although it wasn't until March 7 1979 that FAA certification was granted. In the meantime the design had been changed to incorporate the supercritical wing, although the original wing's basic planform was retained. A second prototype first flew on February 18 1978, the first preproduction aircraft following on June 13 1978. First customer deliveries began in July 1979.

In April 1995 Dassault announced the long range Falcon 50EX with more fuel efficient TFE73140 turbofans, 740km (400nm) greater range (at Mach 0.80) than the base Falcon 50 and a new EFIS flightdeck based on the Falcon 2000's with Collins Pro Line 4 avionics. The 50EX also features as standard equipment items offered as options only on the standard Falcon 50.

The Falcon 50EX's maiden flight was on April 10 1996, with French and US certification in November and December 1996 respectively. First delivery (to Volkswagen) was in the following January.

The Surmar is a maritime patrol version of the 50 ordered by the French navy (fitted with a FLIR and search radar).

Powerplants

50 - Three 16.5kN (3700lb) AlliedSignal TFE7313 turbofans. 50EX - Three 16.5kN (3700lb) TFE73140s.

Performance

50 - Max cruising speed 880km/h (475kt), long range cruising speed 797km/h (430kt). Max operating altitude 45,000ft. Range with eight passengers and reserves 5715km (3084nm). 50EX - Range with eight passengers at Mach 0.80 5600km (3025nm), at Mach 0.75 6046km (3265nm).

Weights

50 - Empty equipped 9150kg (20,170lb), standard max takeoff 17,600kg (38,800lb), or optionally 18,500kg (40,780lb). 50EX - Empty equipped 9603kg (21,270lb), max takeoff 18,005kg (39,700lb).

Dimensions

Wing span 18.86m (61ft 11in), length 18.52m (61ft 11in), height 6.98m (22ft 11in). Wing area 46.8m2 (504.1sq ft).

Capacity

Flightcrew of two pilots. A number of cabin seating arrangements offered. Seating for eight or nine with aft toilet, or for up to 12 with forward toilet. Max accommodation for 19. Can accommodate three stretchers, two medical attendants and medical equipment in a medevac role.

Production

More than 275 have been delivered since 1979.

Bentley Motors

The new Bentley State Limousine differs fundamentally from those previously supplied by
Crewe in being a unique car, rather than a production car modified for State purposes. It also
bears no relation in either appearance or physical proportion to any other Bentley product, and has
been designed with continual reference to and input from both The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh
and of course, the Head Chauffeur.

The major partners joining Bentley in the
consortium are Mayflower Vehicle Systems
(bodywork), Leoni Wiring Systems (Electrics), TWR
Group (trim packaging), Intier Automotive (trim
engineering), Radshape (brightware), Ricardo
(powertrain) and MSX International (validation).

Bentley Motors has been entirely responsible for
the design, styling, chassis and commissioning of
the car and is currently assembling the limousine in
a dedicated area of its Personal Commissioning
department. It has also overseen the project from
start to finish.

2007 Yamaha YZF-R1 available now from Yamaha Dealers

The first batch of the awesome new YZF-R1 is arriving in dealers now priced £8,999 On the Road. Launched to rave reviews from the world's press, the new YZF-R1 produces 189bhp (with ram-air) and features a torque inducing variable intake system, slipper clutch, fly by wire throttle plus an all new chassis clad in aerodynamic bodywork.

The new 2007 machine is available in Red/White like the iconic original YZF-R1, Midnight Black or Blue. Yamaha dealers have a large selection of Genuine Yamaha Accessories for the YZF-R1 and bespoke colour matched leathers made for Yamaha by Dainese.

Race teams are beating a path to the new R1 with the bike being campaigned at WSBK level by Noriyuki Haga and Troy Corser whilst Virgin Media will be BSB racing with Tommy Hill and James Haydon.