N3278 Aircraft Overview
Performance Profile
N3278 carries the Dassault Falcon 2000EX's proven performance profile: 481-knot cruise, 3,800 NM range, and a 47,000-foot ceiling. The 2x Pratt & Whitney Canada PW308C are well-established powerplants with predictable maintenance intervals and strong support networks.
Mission Profile
For operators flying 4-6 hour missions with 8-12 passengers, the Dassault Falcon 2000EX delivers the right balance. N3278 seats up to 12 in a 26.2 ft cabin with 7.7 ft width. Stand-up headroom at 6.2 ft means passengers move freely between zones.
Charter Authorization
Charter authorization is active for N3278 under its Part 135 certificate. The Dassault Falcon 2000EX is positioned for domestic transcontinental and Caribbean routing. Contact The Jet Finder to check scheduling.
Insider Note
Heavy jets represent the most active segment in the pre-owned market. Well-maintained Dassault Falcon 2000EX airframes with low hours and current inspections trade quickly. N3278's 2001 build year and continuous airworthiness record are the data points buyers evaluate first.
Charter & Acquisition Briefing
N3278 is a 2001 Dassault Falcon 2000 registered to PEREGRINE FALCON LLC TRUSTEE. The Falcon 2000 series has been Dassault's workhorse wide-body for three decades. Here is the charter and acquisition intelligence for this airframe.
Fleet Position
Over 600 Falcon 2000-series aircraft are in service globally, with approximately 200 on U.S. registrations. FAA data shows N3278 based in BOISE, ID. The Falcon 2000 occupies a niche in the U.S. market: operators who need the cabin width of a Challenger but value the Falcon's lower approach speeds and shorter runway requirements.
Charter Availability
N3278 is Part 135 charter authorized. Falcon 2000 charter rates range from $5,500 to $8,000 per flight hour. The Falcon is less common on U.S. charter certificates than the Challenger, which means availability can be tighter in some regions. Positioning from BOISE may add $4,000 to $8,000. The tradeoff: the Falcon's wider cabin (7.7 feet vs 7.2 feet on the Challenger) and lower cabin noise levels create a measurably different passenger experience.
Market Position
As a 2001 airframe, N3278 is a Falcon 2000 Classic with the original CFE738 engines. These aircraft trade between $3M to $5M. The Classic's 3,000 nm range is shorter than the later EX/LXS variants, but the cabin dimensions are identical. For domestic-only operations, the Classic delivers the same passenger experience at a fraction of the acquisition cost.
Pre-buy focus: CFE738 engine hot section timing, APU condition, and cockpit avionics state. Many Classics have been retrofitted with EASy glass cockpits ($1.5M+ retrofit), which transforms the aircraft into a near-EX-equivalent. A Classic with an EASy cockpit and recent interior is one of the best values in wide-body aviation.
Mission Profile
The Falcon 2000 bridges two categories: wide-body cabin and short-field capability. Dallas to Aspen in 2 hours at approach speeds that give the pilot genuine margin on a 7,006-foot runway at 7,820 feet elevation. San Francisco to Cabo San Lucas in 2 hours 40 minutes. Chicago to Bermuda in 3 hours 10 minutes. The aircraft handles mountain and island operations that competitors approach with caution.
When to Choose Something Else
The Falcon 2000 is wrong for ultra-long-range international missions. At 4,000 nm maximum range (LXS), it falls well short of the G550 (6,750 nm) and Global 6000 (6,000 nm) for transatlantic or transpacific routes. If your mission includes regular intercontinental flying, the Falcon 2000 is a domestic/regional aircraft, not a global platform.
Ownership & Operations
Operating costs for business jets break into fixed and variable categories. Fixed costs (hangar, insurance, crew salaries, management fees) accrue whether the aircraft flies or not. Variable costs (fuel, maintenance reserves, landing fees, handling) scale with flight hours. Owners flying fewer than 200 hours annually often find charter or fractional ownership more economical than whole aircraft ownership.
Pre-Purchase Considerations
Total time on airframe and engines is the primary metric for aircraft valuation. Lower-time aircraft command premium pricing but cost more upfront. Higher-time aircraft offer lower acquisition cost but carry higher near-term maintenance exposure. The break-even analysis depends on planned utilization: buyers flying 400+ hours annually amortize acquisition cost faster and tolerate higher initial investment.
Charter Market Context
Jet card programs and membership plans lock in hourly rates for guaranteed availability. Cards typically require a $50,000 to $500,000 deposit and offer 24 to 48 hour booking windows with fixed hourly pricing. The value depends on usage frequency: clients flying 25+ hours annually benefit from rate certainty and guaranteed availability. Below 25 hours, on-demand charter often provides better economics.
N3278 Aircraft Intelligence
Cross-referenced from FAA Registry, Part 135 operator database, and live ADS-B telemetry.
Inquire About N3278
This aircraft operates under an active FAA Part 135 certificate with Sterling Aviation, LLC, making it legally authorized for on-demand charter. Contact us to check current availability and book your flight.
Contact UsDetailed Specifications
Aircraft Identity
| Registration | N3278 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | DASSAULT |
| FAA Model | FALCON 2000EX |
| Serial Number | 001 |
| Year | 2001 |
| Aircraft Type | Fixed wing multi engine |
| Category | Heavy Jet |
| Part 135 Operator | Sterling Aviation, LLC |
| Owner (FAA) | PEREGRINE FALCON LLC TRUSTEE |
| Location | BOISE, ID |
Performance & Capabilities
| Engines | 2x Pratt & Whitney Canada PW308C |
|---|---|
| Cruise Speed | 481 ktas (LRC: 459 kts) |
| Approximate Range | 3,800 NM |
| Passengers | Up to 12 |
| Registration Status | Valid (FAA) |
| Charter Status | Part 135 Authorized |
| D085 Listing | Active |
Frequently Asked Questions About N3278
16 questions answered about this aircraft and the Dassault Falcon 2000EX
N3278 is a 2001 DASSAULT FALCON 2000EX registered in the United States. It carries serial number 001 and is classified as a Heavy Jet in the private aviation market. The aircraft has maintained continuous airworthiness for 20 years.
N3278 is a DASSAULT FALCON 2000EX. The Dassault Falcon 2000EX is a business jet platform with a range of 2,000 nautical miles. DASSAULT has a well-established support network for this airframe.
N3278 is registered to PEREGRINE FALCON LLC TRUSTEE according to FAA records. The registrant is based in Boise, ID. Registration data is sourced from the FAA Aircraft Registry and may not reflect recent ownership transfers.
The Dassault Falcon 2000EX was produced from 2003-2009. The type was succeeded by the Falcon 2000LXS. This specific aircraft (N3278) was manufactured in 2001.
The manufacturer serial number for this aircraft is 001. Serial numbers are assigned sequentially by the manufacturer and serve as the permanent identifier for the airframe throughout its service life. This number is used for maintenance tracking, parts ordering, and FAA registry records.
N3278 is registered in the United States according to the FAA Aircraft Registry. The specific base of operations depends on the operator's scheduling and positioning requirements. Contact The Jet Finder for current location and availability information.
Yes. N3278 holds an active Part 135 certificate under Sterling Aviation, LLC, meaning it is legally authorized for on-demand charter operations. Contact The Jet Finder to check current availability.
N3278 is operated under the Part 135 certificate held by Sterling Aviation, LLC.
N3278 is a fixed wing multi engine classified as a Heavy Jet.
The Dassault Falcon 2000EX has a maximum cruise speed of 481 knots. Long-range cruise is 459 kts. Maximum operating Mach number is Mach 0.862.
The DASSAULT FALCON 2000EX has an approximate range of 3,800 nautical miles. This translates to nonstop coverage of transatlantic routes including New York to London, or Los Angeles to Honolulu. At a cruise speed of approximately 481 knots, total block times remain competitive for the category.
The Dassault Falcon 2000EX seats up to 12 passengers in a typical charter configuration. The cabin measures 26.2 ft long, 7.7 ft wide, and 6.2 ft tall. Standard configurations include forward club seating, a mid-cabin conference group, and an aft divan.
N3278 maintains a valid registration status with the FAA and is listed on the D085 Part 135 Aircraft Listing.
N3278 is listed on the FAA D085 Part 135 database under Sterling Aviation, LLC. This confirms the aircraft is authorized for on-demand charter. Availability depends on the operator's schedule and positioning. Contact The Jet Finder to check current availability for this specific aircraft or similar models.
Contact The Jet Finder for acquisition inquiries regarding N3278. Our advisory team handles both on-market and off-market transactions.
You can verify N3278 directly on the FAA Aircraft Registry.
From Your First Mission to Your Final Acquisition
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