AIN International

While it used to be normal to see Dassault Falcons landing and taking off from Santa Monica Airport (SMO) in Southern California, the arrival and departure of a Falcon 8X on Wednesday was somewhat unique—and not just because SMO’s runway was shortened last year in an effort to reduce business jet traffic at the field. The flight, which originated in Portland, Oregon, was part of a successful effort to break the record for the Santa Monica to Teterboro leg. With tailwinds averaging just five knots, the flight took 4 hours, 28 minutes, besting the previous record by 24 minutes.

The trijet landed on Santa Monica’s shortened 3,500-foot runway early Wednesday morning after flying from Portland, using less than 2,000 feet for the landing. After a rapid fueling and turnaround, the 8X needed a balanced field length of just 3,200 feet for the flight to Teterboro, carrying four passengers, 13,640 pounds of fuel, 200 pounds of payload, and two pilots. The 8X also didn’t exceed the limits of the airport’s sensitive noise monitors during takeoff and departure.

“This flight embodies everything that advanced design can accomplish: unparalleled airport performance, a quiet noise footprint, and extended capability, all in a large-cabin business jet,” said Eric Trappier, chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation.