The Falcon 900 Series: Under the Market Spotlight

Do different capabilities mean different market trends for the Falcon 900 series?

Jim Becker  |  15th September 2015
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    Jim Becker
    Jim Becker

    James Becker is an American Society of Appraisers (ASA) Accredited Senior Appraiser for Elliott Aviation...

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    Falcon 900EX


    The Falcon 900 was introduced in 1986 as an upgrade to what was at the time Dassault’s top-of-the-line Falcon 50 Series. Since then, various derivatives and variants have come on and off the production line, notes Jim Becker, Senior Aircraft Appraiser at Elliott Aviation. How are they faring on the used aircraft market?

    A variety of models comprise the Falcon 900 series, offering various range and payload capabilities, avionics, engine thrust and more – but does the pre-owned Falcon 900 marketplace respond to these aircraft differently from one another? Let’s take a look at some of the later family members to find out…

    Falcon 900C

    Introduced in 1999, the Falcon 900C featured upgraded avionics from that of its predecessor, the Falcon 900B. Dassault discontinued production of the Falcon 900C in 2005.

    Prices for the Falcon 900C have been relatively soft during the past 12 months with values falling around 10%. There are three currently on the market and five aircraft have traded hands within the past 12 months.

    On the surface it appears the Falcon 900C is quite an inactive market, however, with only 30 aircraft produced, the five sales represent 20% of the total fleet. Today’s buyer can expect to pay between $8.0-12.0m for an average Falcon 900C.






    Falcon 900EX


    The Falcon 900EX is a longer-range version of the Falcon 900 that featured upgraded Honeywell Primus avionics and improved -60 engines with increased thrust. Falcon discontinued production of the 900EX in 2003.

    The market for the Falcon 900EX has been trending down over the last 12 months with prices dropping around 12%. Eighteen are currently on the market with 11 sales recorded during the last year, representing 9% of the total fleet trading in the past 12 months. A buyer can currently expect to pay between $10.0-13.0m for an average Falcon 900EX.






    Falcon 900EX EASy


    Introduced in 2003, the Falcon 900EX EASy encompassed many upgrades over its predecessor, the Falcon 900EX, including a new brake-by-wire system, an upgraded fuel system, and improved environmental system, with a 700 lbs increase in useful load. However the biggest feature of the 900EX EASy was its revolutionary Honeywell avionics suite. The EASy cockpit featured a man-machine interface between the crew and the aircraft that increased situational awareness while reducing the crew’s workload, with improved overall safety.

    There are currently 21 Falcon 900EX EASy models on the market, and nine have sold in the past 12 months (representing 7.5% of the total fleet).





    Like other aircraft in this class, prices still remain somewhat soft with prices falling up to 10% in the last 12 months. Expect to pay between $15.0-25.0m for an average model. Dassault discontinued production of the Falcon 900EX EASy in 2010.


    Falcon 900DX


    The Falcon 900DX began production in 2005 and continued until 2010. It is similar to the 900EX EASy, as it has the same avionics, engine and wing design. The DX came to market at a lower price point than the 900EX EASy, but the savings came at a cost – in this case the lower range of the model.

    There were 24 900DX units produced, and although there are none on the used market at this time, four have sold in the past year (over 16% of the total production).





    Like other Falcon 900 models, prices are still trending downward, with the DX market falling around 10% in the past year. When one can be found on the market, buyers can expect to pay between $15.0-20.0 for an average model 900DX.


    Falcon 900LX


    Finally, the current model of the 900 series is the Falcon 900LX. Dassault started producing this model in 2010, and it is an evolution of the Falcon 900EX EASy. This aircraft is essentially a 900EX EASy fitted with blended winglets, giving it a substantially increased range. Since this model is so new, there hasn’t been much of a track record for used sales. There are currently eight for sale, with prices ranging in the $30.0-36.0 range.

    In the absence of an established track-record for used Falcon 900LX sales, we conclude with the recent 'transactions' and 'for sale' trends for all of the newer Falcon 900 models combined that within this blog.



     

     

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