HondaJet Achieves First Flight

HondaJet has completed the first flight of its FAA-conforming advanced light business jet. The aircraft employs the GE Honda Aero HF120 engine, which is more powerful than the Honda-designed and -built HF118 used in the prototype HondaJet. In addition, its production-conforming cockpit features the Garmin G3000 touchscreen-controlled avionics system.

The conforming HondaJet performed much better than the prototype because of the more powerful engines and drag reductions that engineers were able to achieve in the latest airframe, according to Honda Aircraft Company president and CEO Michimasa Fujino. "Static stability is much better," he said, "and damping characteristics are better."

Five conforming HondaJets are planned, and the second has completed structural tests in preparation for flight testing. A third jet will be ready to enter the flight-test program early next year. Deliveries will begin in the third quarter of 2012.