Dassault Falcons Face Avionics Overhaul by FAA Deadline
Published Date: 11/28/2025
Rule
Summary
If you own certain Dassault Falcon 7X airplanes, the FAA has updated safety rules that require fixing a weak spot in the plane’s avionics system and updating flight manuals and equipment lists. These changes build on earlier rules and remove some planes from the list. The new rules kick in January 2, 2026, and might cost some time and money but make flying safer and smarter.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Optional EASy IV upgrade (expensive alternative)
The AD and incorporated EASA material describe an optional method of compliance by modifying the avionics architecture to the EASy IV standard; accomplishing that optional upgrade is available but can cost up to $808,064 per airplane (up to 302 work-hours at $85/hr = $25,670 labor plus up to $782,394 parts).
Required avionics system modification
The AD requires modifying the Falcon 7X avionics system to fix a weak point in the avionics architecture and making related AFM and MEL revisions. The FAA estimates the new required modification labor cost at 10 work-hours (10 x $85 = $850) per airplane and estimates this AD affects 160 U.S.-registered airplanes.
Keep AFM and MEL revisions
If you operate an affected Dassault Falcon 7X, this AD continues to require revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) and the operator's FAA-approved minimum equipment list (MEL). The AD requires the AFM revision within 2 months after September 1, 2022, and the FAA estimates the retained AFM and MEL revision action costs $170 per airplane.
Some Falcons removed from AD coverage
This AD removes certain Falcon 7X airplanes from applicability — specifically airplanes on which Dassault modification M2055, M2059, M2096, or M2097 were embodied in production — so those airplanes are not subject to the AD's required actions.
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