Hop a Honda out of Town
Posted by:
Mark Bilek
It won't be long before you can say, "I just flew into town in my new Honda." No, Honda hasn't perfected the flying car; the Japanese automaker is getting ready to release the HondaJet -- a business-class aircraft. The first production HondaJet is just about ready for ground tests and then will begin the year-long FAA certification process.
"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 CEO Michimasa Fujino. "Our total effort is focused on reaching these much anticipated milestones in the first quarter of 2015."
Several preproduction HondaJets have already taken to the skies for preliminary testing. Two even made a special appearance at the EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in 2013. The $4.5 million light jet seats up to six in a standard configuration (one crew and five passengers or two crew and four passengers) and includes a private aft lavatory. Preproduction models have reached 489 mph and 30,000 ft.
The first production aircraft is in final assembly with the first set of production GE Honda HF120 engines recently delivered to Honda Aircraft. The engines have been installed, and Honda Aircraft will soon begin conducting ground tests on the airplane. Its first flight is anticipated this summer.
For more information about the HondaJet, the world's most advanced light jet, visit www.HondaJet.com.
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