Dassault is about to receive certification for a “nose-up autobrake” feature to further cut Falcon 2000-series landing distances, chief test pilot Philippe Deleume told AIN last month. The technique will reduce landing distances by approximately 150 feet, thus helping the 2000DX/EX/LX meet London City Airport requirements.
“The system is transparent to the pilot,” Deleume explained. During the approach, the crew activates the autobrake with the push of a button near the landing-gear lever. Braking then starts as soon as the main landing gear touches down. This technique applies braking between one and 1.5 seconds earlier than usual. The distance gain is “on the order of 150 feet” but Deleume cautioned that this should not be regarded as a precise, published number.

Normally, the pilot waits for the nosewheel to touch down before applying any braking. With the autobrake, “it is like landing with the brake pedals pushed,” Deleume said. The antiskid system protects against wheel lock. As soon as the pilot actually pushes the pedals, the autobrake stops working and the pilot’s braking inputs are processed as usual.

Certification testing is complete and receiving the EASA’s official nod was anticipated in “a matter of days,” Deleume said last month. For a pilot already rated on the type, training consists of no more than a 10-minute ground course and one approach in a simulator.

The next step for Dassault is to have the Falcon 2000DX/EX/LX approved for operations at London City. The aircraft are already certified for steep approaches (up to 5.5 degrees). The steeper approach helps gaining another 150 feet, which brings the Falcon 2000 series within the envelope for LCY. Final flight tests at London City are planned for this month.

The autobrake system will be fitted as standard to production Falcon 2000s and will be available for retrofit on older aircraft as well.