HondaJet - Premium Light Jet

Since, its type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2015, HondaJet finished 2017, with 43 deliveries across the globe, as the most delivered jet in its category. Company made its first delivery in December 2015. To match the increasing demand, Honda has ramped up its production at its Greensboro, North Carolina plant to four aircraft per month. In just two years time, HondaJet is flying across the globe in Europe, Middle East, South America to China.

Designed and developed by Honda Aircraft Company, founded in 2006, is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Honda Motor Company.

WHY HONDAJET?

In the light business jet category, the HA-420 is emerging as a front runner. On February 8, HondaJet signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Wijet, French air taxi company, for multiple HondaJets to upgrade its fleet. The MoU was signed during the Singapore Airshow. Wijet is expected to take delivery of its first HondaJet during the first quarter of 2018.

“I am delighted that Wijet has chosen the HondaJet to provide their customers with the exceptional experience of the most advanced light jet on the market,” said Honda Aircraft President and CEO Michimasa Fujino.

The aircraft flies at a maximum cruise speed of 422 knots (486 mph) and has a maximum altitude of 43,000 feet. The aircraft is certified for single pilot operation and can seat up to six passengers. It is priced at $4.85 million (U.S.) and has an NBAA IFR range of 1,223 nautical miles (1,408 miles). One of the main reasons behind its catching the fascination of the customers could be the number of innovative design features of the aircraft giving it edge over its rivals.

INNOVATIONS

The HondaJet boasts of many innovations that maximises the performance of the aircraft and takes a step ahead of its peers. Digressing from the normal aluminum fuselage, the aircraft has a light but strong composite fuselage made from the combination of co-cured integral structure and honeycomb sandwich structures which increases the cabin space and fuel efficiency.

After extensive research of two decades, Honda, breaks the conventional design of aviation industry, and validates the innovative Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) design which gives the aircraft (in its category) more spacious cabin, reduced noise and increased fuel efficiency. For its (OTWEM), the International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences (ICAS) presented its 2014 Award for Innovation in Aeronautics to Honda Aircraft Company.

Another innovative feature of the aircraft is the application of natural laminar flow which Honda believes has improved the fuel efficiency and increased the cruising speed of the aircraft. Company has developed Garmin^® G3000, next generation, ergonomically designed all glass cockpit which gives pilot better situational awareness. The cockpit, designed to suit single- pilot or dual-pilot operations, gives the pilot more visibility and space but fewer instructions.

CERTIFICATIONS

December 21, 2010, the FAA-conforming HondaJet made its first flight from its facility at the Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina which lasted for 51 minutes. Four years later, on June 27, 2014 the first production aircraft took to skies.

The aircraft which boosts of many type certification from various countries, received type certification from the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on December 9, 2015, after which the company began its deliveries. Next year, the jet received certification in Mexico followed by type certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on May 23, 2016.

Speaking at the event, Patrick Ky, EASA Executive Director declared: “This certification shows that the HA-420 HondaJet fully complies with the most stringent European safety regulations and paves the way for its entry into service.”

In November, 2016, the HondaJet made speed records over two recognised courses from Teterboro, New Jersey to Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Boston, Massachusetts to Palm Beach, Florida, making it the fastest jet in its category.

HONDAJET: FACTSHEET

Source: HondaJet