Falcon 200

[TRBojet]

Our company is considering upgrading from our Beechjet to a Falcon 200. I know very little about the airplane, but have heard good things about Falcons in general. A few questions for the seasoned Falcon or ex-Falcon drivers out there: What are some of the pros and cons of the airplane? How would it compare as far as operating costs compared to the Beechjet (obviously it's higher, but we've had fairly high maintenance costs on the Beech)? How about the pay for Captian/Co-Captain? (Part 91 in the Northwest - if the average Captain pay for our area for the Beechjet is 60-65K, what would be the range for the Falcon?)

This Falcon is an 1984 model with about 6500 hours.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Rick1128]

Da200

Several years ago, I looked at the DA200 as a possible replacement for the Lear we were flying. My boss was very hot on the aircraft. We had a very tight mission profile. Be able to come out of a 5000 foot runway at 2000 AGL and go 2000 nm at 30C. We had a very short list, which the 200 was on. But we placed it on the bottom of the list. Our biggest issue was the engines. They were only manufactured for the 200 and the Coast Guard Falcons. There are approximately 30 loaner engines and the Coast Guard has first rights to them all. It was my understanding from my discussions with Garrett, that once the Coast Guard parks their last Falcon, that Garrett/Honeywell will stop supporting the engine. So it is basicly an orphan.

Plus look at the fact that a reengined Falcon 20F has a higher resale price on the market tells you something.

After our research, we went with the Hawker and the company is still happy with its choice. There are several aircraft out there in that price range and capability range. I would be very careful about the 200 though.

 

[TRBojet]

It's information like this that I need to know so I can pass it along to the owners. Thanks for the input.

 

[sleepy]

What you have heard is true, Falcons are good aircraft. I don't know much about the 200 (other than the Coast Guard flys them). You might consider the DA-50 (the 50EX is much better, but may be too far out of your price range). It will cost more, but you will have a lot of mission flexibility.

 

[banned username 2]

Our company is considering upgrading from our Beechjet to a Falcon 200. I know very little about the airplane, but have heard good things about Falcons in general. A few questions for the seasoned Falcon or ex-Falcon drivers out there: What are some of the pros and cons of the airplane? How would it compare as far as operating costs compared to the Beechjet (obviously it's higher, but we've had fairly high maintenance costs on the Beech)? How about the pay for Captian/Co-Captain? (Part 91 in the Northwest - if the average Captain pay for our area for the Beechjet is 60-65K, what would be the range for the Falcon?)

This Falcon is an 1984 model with about 6500 hours.

Thanks in advance.

I would look at a Falcon 20F-5BR (Re-engined Falcon 20 with Garrett TFE731-5BR Engines (Avoid the early -5AR engines))before ever looking at a Falcon 200... You can also find some older Falcon 50's for reasonable prices... Both would be better choices than the 200, IMHO...

 

[ultrarunner]

Stay VERY far from the 200's for all the reasons mentioned above. If your price-point supports it, get the 50. It's a much more modern design. If you start looking at retrofited -5BR 20's, limit your search to the F models.

But keep this in mind...even a retrofitted Falcon 20 F is still going to be a very old airframe.

 

[rice]

TRBojet

I would look at a Falcon 20F-5BR (Re-engined Falcon 20 with Garrett TFE731-5BR Engines (Avoid the early -5AR engines))before ever looking at a Falcon 200... You can also find some older Falcon 50's for reasonable prices... Both would be better choices than the 200, IMHO...

The 200 was Dassault's "YUGO". Thats how best to describe it to your boss. If they don't understand that analogy well then............
My advice is stay very very far away. Falcon Capt. has it right, you will get a much more reliable and much better supported aircraft in the 20F-5BR.
Good Luck.

 

[TRBojet]

Thanks a lot for all the feedback. This will all be passed on. I think they would like the Falcon 50, if it's in their budget.


THANKS

 

[G100driver]

Our company is considering upgrading from our Beechjet to a Falcon 200. I know very little about the airplane, but have heard good things about Falcons in general. A few questions for the seasoned Falcon or ex-Falcon drivers out there: What are some of the pros and cons of the airplane? How would it compare as far as operating costs compared to the Beechjet (obviously it's higher, but we've had fairly high maintenance costs on the Beech)? How about the pay for Captian/Co-Captain? (Part 91 in the Northwest - if the average Captain pay for our area for the Beechjet is 60-65K, what would be the range for the Falcon?)

This Falcon is an 1984 model with about 6500 hours.

Thanks in advance.

Are you guys out of TIW?

 

[TRBojet]

Out of BOI.

 

[ultrarunner]

There really is nothing to NOT like about a Falcon 50. When you start looking at these types of planes, enlist the services of a company that can objectively evaluate each one that is on the market.

With respect to the 50's, there are numerous issues that you need to consider such as....

Steam guage airplanes vs. EFIS airplanes...

EFIS 85 or EFIS 86 or Proline EFIS

D moded engines....

The list can go on and on with airplanes such as this.

Hire someone that know's what they are doing. DO NOT use a listing broker as the person who is looking out for the best interest of you and your company. HIRE A THIRD PARTY.

'nuff said.

 

[bigD]

Legacy!

 

[G100driver]

Legacy!

What bidD really meant to say was WSOD!

 

[bigD]

What bidD really meant to say was WSOD!

Ah yes! My mistake!

 

[Flying Illini]

Both of our 20's are 20F-5BR's. They are a great airplane to fly but they can get doggy above 370. They aren't particularly fast either. The MMO is .88 but the fastest I've ever seen is .82 (actually .835 during DRVSM testing but we were really light). You can slow it down to .75 if you really want to stretch the legs but I've only had to do that once and that was due to strong headwinds. It's a good airplane that flies nice and it is supported fairly well. I don't have much to offer in the way of operating costs or the like but I can give you some info on fuel burns and the like, if your interested. Just PM me and I will try to answer any specific questions you might have.

 

[banned username 2]

Both of our 20's are 20F-5BR's. They are a great airplane to fly but they can get doggy above 370. They aren't particularly fast either. The MMO is .88 but the fastest I've ever seen is .82 (actually .835 during DRVSM testing but we were really light). You can slow it down to .75 if you really want to stretch the legs but I've only had to do that once and that was due to strong headwinds. It's a good airplane that flies nice and it is supported fairly well. I don't have much to offer in the way of operating costs or the like but I can give you some info on fuel burns and the like, if your interested. Just PM me and I will try to answer any specific questions you might have.

Don't feel bad, the CF700-2D2 powered Falcon 20's almost never saw FL370 (FL310, FL330 and FL350 were more typical) and our typical cruise speed was Mach 0.72... So doing Mach 0.80 at FL370 is a Falcon 20 is pretty nice...

 

[bigD]

Don't feel bad, the CF700-2D2 powered Falcon 20's almost never saw FL370 (FL310, FL330 and FL350 were more typical) and our typical cruise speed was Mach 0.72... So doing Mach 0.80 at FL370 is a Falcon 20 is pretty nice...

But you see, that's why you need to consider the Leg...err...WSOD! Once they get the software in place, you can get to FL410! And really, there's no reason why it wouldn't do FL510. I'm sure it can handle it! The thing out performs the book every day!

 

[Flying Illini]

Once they get the software in place, you can get to FL410! And really, there's no reason why it wouldn't do FL510. I'm sure it can handle it! The thing out performs the book every day!

Now bigD, you know the software for FL510 won't become available until at least 2006, but once it is...man what an airplane!

 

[Flying Illini]

Don't feel bad, the CF700-2D2 powered Falcon 20's almost never saw FL370 (FL310, FL330 and FL350 were more typical) and our typical cruise speed was Mach 0.72... So doing Mach 0.80 at FL370 is a Falcon 20 is pretty nice...

Thanks for the perspective!

 

[Diesel]

you have to upgrade to XP Pro edition to go to 510.

Of course you can get a student discount so that might help.

WSCOD makes me laugh every day.