Honda Aircraft Company announced that it has commenced production of the much anticipated HondaJet, the world’s most advanced light jet aircraft. During a press conference at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) annual meeting and convention in Orlando, Florida, the company also highlighted key testing milestones that have been successfully accomplished, enabling the HondaJet to move closer to certification and delivery.
Over the past year, Honda Aircraft has completed various flight, systems and structural tests on HondaJet including crew seat crash tests, speedbrake testing, ultimate load tests, EASA windshield bird strike testing (I hope they defrosted the chicken first), wind tunnel icing tests and night lighting testing.
HondaJet
The company recently further completed the first in a series of remote testing to validate the HondaJet aircraft’s performance under extreme temperatures. Hot-weather flight tests were conducted in Yuma, Arizona, and included critical case tests for both aircraft systems and infrastructure such as hot fuel testing, fuselage structure temperature validation and powerplant and electrical generator cooling.
Honda Aircraft President and CEO Michimasa Fujino said, “An assembly line for HondaJet production is in place, major aircraft components including the fuselage and wings have been produced and we have started assembly of the first customer aircraft. Commencing production is the most important milestone in the HondaJet program to date, with only the future Federal Aviation Administration Type Certification and first customer delivery ranking greater in significance. Honda is known for its methodical approach in engineering and processes. To this end, our commitment to deliver the best possible product that will bring new value to aviation remains.”
