After decades of research, development and pledge for commercialization, Honda has finally launched its first business jet. The plane took off at the HondaJet’s headquarters at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina for an 84 minutes flight.
The five-passenger HondaJet can reach an altitude of 43,000 feet and flies at an NBAA IFR range of 1,180 nautical miles (1,357 miles).
“With this first flight, the HondaJet program has entered the next exciting phase as we prepare for delivery,” said Michimasa Fujino, CEO of Honda Aircraft. “This is an important achievement in bringing the world’s most advanced light jet to market.”
The Jet has some astounding features:
Over the Wing Engine Mount:
Honda has engineered the engine over the wings! This guarantees ‘more spacious cabin, noise reduction, and increased fuel efficiency.’
Natural Laminar Flow:
NLF technology is applied to minimize the aerodynamic drag and get maximum sailing speed.
Light Weight Structure:
The HondaJet doesn’t use the traditional Aluminum. Rather, it uses a carbon fibre composite fuselage for its structure. The fuselage is light, but strong.
Advanced Cockpit:
The design of the cockpit facilitates even a single pilot to operation the jet. The avionics system has touch screen technology which brings the pilot and aircraft closer and offers high resolution display promising enhanced navigation and control.
Priced at $4.5 million, it has received more than 100 orders from businesses and affluent customers, Japanese media said. You may virtually roam into the jet before it comes into the market in 2015.