Monday 19 May 2014

HondaJet first flight this summer

Honda Aircraft Company held a press conference today at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland to announce further development of the HondaJet.

"Honda Aircraft Company's most important goals are achieving Federal Aviation Administration Type Certification and delivering the first customer aircraft," said Honda Aircraft Company President and chief executive officer Michimasa Fujino. "Our total effort is focused on reaching these much anticipated milestones in the first quarter of 2015."

Honda Aircraft Company LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. It was founded in 2006, though has its heritage in more than 20 years of ground-breaking aeronautical research and development.

HondaJet is said to be the world's most advanced light business jet aircraft, with best-in-class advantages in performance, comfort, quality and efficiency. The HondaJet is claimed to be the fastest, highest-flying, quietest, and most fuel-efficient jet in its class. It incorporates many technological innovations in aviation design, including the unique Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration that is claimed to “dramatically improve performance and fuel efficiency by reducing aerodynamic drag”.

As certification and flight testing continues, the first production HondaJet is in final assembly with the first set of production GE Honda HF120 engines installed. Following engine installation, Honda Aircraft will conduct ground tests on the aircraft with its first flight anticipated this summer.

Production moves forward with nine aircraft already on the assembly line. This steady build-up supports Honda Aircraft Company's objective to have aircraft ready for delivery immediately after type certification is achieved next year.

The first production aircraft to come off the assembly line will debut a new exterior paint scheme of deep pearl green with a gold stripe. The new colour will be offered in addition to silver, red, yellow and blue exterior finishes.

In addition to preparing the aircraft themselves, Honda Aircraft is putting significant effort and investment into flight and maintenance training for customers. Working with FlightSafety International, Honda Aircraft is currently developing pilot and maintenance training curriculums with classes scheduled to begin later this year in the US.

"Honda Aircraft Company, along with our worldwide network of dealers and suppliers, are working together to support the seamless transition to customers," said Fujino. "Our goal is to have everything ready before the first delivery. We are committed through our network to deliver the best ownership experience from day one."

Moreover, Honda Aircraft's 1,000th member of the workforce team member joined the company this year. The company's growing workforce represent more than 43 countries and represents the aviation industry's top talent.

The OTWEM design also reduces cabin sound, minimizes ground-detected noise, and allows for the roomiest cabin in its class, the largest baggage capacity, and a fully serviceable private aft lavatory.

The HondaJet is powered by two highly fuel-efficient GE Honda HF120 turbofan jet engines, and is equipped with the most sophisticated glass flight deck available in any light business jet, a Honda-customized Garmin G3000 next-generation, all-glass avionics system composed of three 14-inch landscape-format displays and dual touch-screen controllers. The HondaJet is Honda's first commercial aircraft and lives up to the company's reputation for superior performance, efficiency, quality and value.

The company claims that the challenging spirit upon which Mr. Soichiro Honda founded Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is alive today as Honda Aircraft fulfils one of Honda's longstanding dreams to advance human mobility skyward.


No comments: