First production HondaJet nearly completed

Tue, 20 May 2014

We may mention Honda around here mostly for its cars, but the Japanese industrial giant makes a whole lot more than that. The company builds motorcycles, ATVs, marine engines, power equipment and – soon enough – jet airplanes.

Honda has been working on its first private jet since before 2006, and after a good eight years or so of prototype testing, began building its first production version a bit over a year ago. And now it's almost ready for delivery.

The first production HondaJet is nearing completion and has had its GE Honda HF120 jet engines installed, after which it will conduct initial ground tests before taking its first flight this summer. The jet is painted in a new shade of pearl green with a gold stripe, added to the color catalog alongside the silver, red, yellow and blue options.

Honda Aircraft has 1,000 employees already working on eight more jets in various stages of production, set to be completed and delivered right after the plane achieves FAA type certification next year.

FIRST PRODUCTION HONDAJET AIRCRAFT NEARS COMPLETION

- Certification and flight testing continue
- First production aircraft in final assembly
- New paint choice added to the line-up
- Continued growth with workforce exceeding 1,000

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

"Honda Aircraft Company's most important goalsare 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 thesemuch anticipated milestonesin the first quarter of 2015."

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 aircrafts 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 color 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 U.S.

"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.

By Noah Joseph