HondaJet Flight Testing Is Underway

Although two years behind its original development and delivery schedule, HondaJet certification testing is underway and the manufacturer hopes to begin deliveries of the light jet—Honda’s first commercial aircraft—in late 2012.

“We’ll try to keep this momentum to keep to the schedule,” says Michimasa Fujino, president/CEO of Honda Aircraft Co.

The first production-conforming HondaJet launched on Dec. 20 on a 51-min. flight out of Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, N.C., where the airplane company is headquartered. Two more aircraft are to join in the flight-test program by summer, while another pair will be devoted to structural testing. Construction of the first of the latter pair is completed.

According to Fujino, the aircraft’s GE Honda HF120 turbofan engines, rated at 2,095 lb. thrust, are expected to receive FAA certification this year, with the aircraft and its production facility gaining their respective authorizations next year.

The company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., reports orders in hand for “well over” 100 of the $4.5-million jets, and Fujino says plans now call for delivering 30-40 within the first six months of certification.