Honda Aircraft’s HondaJet is making its European debut at EBACE as the first point of a two-week demonstration tour of the continent. The light twin is an early production aircraft featuring the signature HondaJet paint scheme in red and silver.
The aircraft landed at the show on Sunday afternoon following a demo tour of Japan, during which it performed 33 demonstration flights across six locations, says Honda.
Speaking at the show this morning Honda Aircraft president and chief executive Michimasa Fujino said: “We have been extremely pleased with the performance and reliability of the HondaJet during the world tour. On its flight routes to Japan and Europe, the aircraft experienced a range of conditions, demonstrating its maturity and readiness for entry into service.”
The six-seat aircraft – which made its first flight in 2003 – clinched provisional FAA approval last month and is “very close” to receiving final certification, Fujino says. The four test aircraft have completed over 2,500 flight hours to date.
The HondaJet, distinctively equipped with a pair of over-the-wing-mounted GE Honda Aero Engines HF120 engines, will enter a market sector occupied by the Embraer Phenom 100 and Cessna M2.
The company’s final assembly line in Greensboro, North Carolina is fully occupied with 20 aircraft “in the production flow”.
Honda also announced at the show the appointment of Marshall Aviation Services as distributor for the twinjet in Northern Europe. Honda has split the European sales territory between three companies, the others being Switzerland’s TAG Aviation and Germany’s Rheinland Air Service.
Source: Flight Daily News
