Dassault ‘Reopens Question’ of a Smaller Jet

Since production ended nearly 20 years ago of the small, sleek Falcon 10, Dassault has concentrated on building larger business jets. But Dassault Aviation chairman Charles Edelstenne disclosed at the NBAA Convention last month that he has asked his engineers and marketers to “reopen the question” of developing a smaller jet again. When pressed to give a timetable on when he asked his people to consider returning to the smaller business jet market and when he expected an answer from them, Edelstenne was reticent. The market may seem glutted with smaller business jets and Cessna has long been the trophy winner, but there are indications that Dassault is feeling pressure to reenter this segment.