SAINT-CLOUD, France, November 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Dassault Falcon's Certified Practical Training Program has passed the 300^th trainee mark, demonstrating its growing popularity among Falcon operators and service centers. Mr. Wu Jian Ming from Business Aviation Asia, based in China, was the 300^th participant.

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By using real production aircraft and actual work cards, the Practical Training Program puts students in real-life maintenance and trouble-shooting conditions, providing a smooth transition from required theoretical training and simulator training. "This innovative approach means that the trainees are better prepared and more efficient when it comes to working on Falcon aircraft in the field," said Eloi Dufour, Director Customer Relations. "It is not just a 'show and tell' exercise. Each student performs the required tasks himself and works on green aircraft - i.e. without interior fittings - allowing for easier access to all aircraft components."

Training is performed either at the Dassault assembly line in Bordeaux-Mérignac, or at the Dassault Flight Test Center in Istres, near Marseille, France. Each session uses two highly experienced Dassault Aviation instructors - a mechanic and an avionics specialist. The final two days of the ten-day training program are dedicated to aircraft run-up and engine testing.

Since its launch in April 2007, the program has graduated 307 trainees, two-thirds of them representing operators, and the rest, Authorized Service Centers.

Some 40 sessions have been held for the Falcon 7X, accounting for more than 75% of total graduates. Falcon 900LX sessions were introduced in 2010, and the Falcon 2000LX sessions late last year.

The training initiative is currently accelerating as more Falcon 7X and 900LX/2000LX aircraft enter service. Almost a hundred technicians and mechanics are expected to graduate this year, alone. Close to 40% of trainees over the past 24 months hail from China, reflecting the surging growth of Dassault Falcon in this emerging market.

Originally conceived as a way to support entry into service of the top-of-the-line Falcon 7X, the Practical Training Program was later extended to cover Falcon 900 and 2000 EASy operators as well. The program, approved by French Civil Aviation Authority DGAC and certified under EASA Part 66 Regulations, targets technicians and mechanics and complements the theoretical training provided by Dassault's training partners, CAE SimuFlite and FlightSafety International.

About Dassault Falcon

Dassault Falcon is responsible for selling and supporting Falcon business jets throughout the world. It is part of Dassault Aviation, a leading aerospace company with a presence in over 70 countries across five continents. Dassault Aviation produces the Rafale fighter jet as well as the complete line of Falcon business jets. The company has assembly and production plants in both France and the United States and service facilities on multiple continents. It employs a total workforce of over 12,000. Since the rollout of the first Falcon 20 in 1963, over 2,100 Falcon jets have been delivered to 67 countries worldwide. The family of Falcon jets currently in production includes the tri-jets-the Falcon 900LX, and the 7X-as well as the twin-engine 2000LX, 2000LXS and Falcon 2000S.