By Jeffrey Decker at Oshkosh
New Piper to handle sales and service for six-seater aimed at upper end of VLJ market
Japanese car maker Honda revealed plans to enter the very light jet (VLJ) market by formally launching sales of its HondaJet at the US Experimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Honda aims to complete certification in three to four years, followed by the start of production in the USA.
The company, which unveiled the project at Oshkosh last year, will set up a new US company to pursue Federal Aviation Administration certification of the HondaJet. "After a great deal of discussion we have decided to respond to the desires of the people," says Satoshi Toshida, senior managing director of Honda Motor.
More information on the programme will be released towards the end of the year, but Toshida is confident the HondaJet "will quickly become the benchmark in the field of light business jets". The aircraft will be manufactured at an unspecified US location.
Sales and service will fall under a new partnership with New Piper Aircraft. "In addition, Honda and Piper will explore other areas of collaboration in the general and business aviation markets," says Toshida. Piper brings 80 service and sales centres to the deal.
No official performance specifications have been given, but Michimasa Fujino, HondaJet project leader and vice-president of Honda Research & Development Americas, says the six/seven-seat HondaJet has completed more than 240h of flight testing since December 2003, reaching an altitude of 43,000ft (13,000m) and a speed of 412kt (765km/h). The aircraft is on course to meet or exceed all of its design specifications, he says.
The prototype is powered by two 1,670lb thrust (7.4kN) Honda HF118 turbofans. An improved version engine is being developed by a joint venture between General Electric and Honda, with certification planned for early 2009.
Target top speed is 420kt, operational ceiling 41,000ft, with a range of 2,040km (1,100nm). The aircraft is 12.5m (41ft) long with 12.2m wingspan and has a maximum take-off weight of 4,173kg (9,200lb), putting the HondaJet at the upper end of the VLJ market alongside the Cessna Citation Mustang and Embraer Phenom 100.
Honda has patented the over-the-wing engine mount, which is the key to the spacious cabin.
Honda is driving on with its light jet and launched sales at Oshkosh
Source: Flight International
