Page 44 - Volume 15 Number 2

EN ROUTE
Honda Achieves First Flight of FAA-Conforming HondaJet
Honda Aircraft Company, Inc., successfully completed the first flight of its FAA-conforming HondaJet advanced light business jet. The event is a significant step in Honda’s aerospace program leading to delivery of aircraft in 2012.
The jet lifted off Dec. 20, 2010, from Honda Aircraft Company’s headquarters facility at the Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, N.C. The HondaJet remained aloft for 51 minutes, during which time the aircraft’s flight characteristics and performance were analyzed and systems checks were conducted.
“This is a very important milestone for the HondaJet program,” said Michimasa Fujino, Honda Aircraft Company president and CEO. “We are very encouraged by our initial review of the flight data, which indicates the conforming HondaJet performed as expected. As we move forward, we will continue to focus all of our efforts and energy to deliver to our customers the most advanced light business jet yet created.”
To support the company’s certification program, Honda has completed its second FAA-conforming aircraft, which already has undergone numerous
structural tests required for commencement of certification flight testing. Honda also has completed mating of main assemblies for its third FAA-conforming aircraft, which is now in the systems installation phase of completion. This third conforming aircraft, to be used mainly for mechanical systems flight testing, is scheduled to be completed in early 2011. A total of five FAA-conforming aircraft, including one additional flight test aircraft and one additional structural test aircraft, are planned to support the HondaJet certification program.
While Honda enters the flight test program with its conforming HondaJet, the company also nears completion of its aircraft production facility on its Greensboro campus. The 266,000-square-foot HondaJet production facility is scheduled for completion in 2011, with the final phase of interior build-out now underway. Upon completion of the production facility, Honda will begin the process of moving equipment and personnel into the facility and undertaking pre- producti•onpreparationsandtrainingnecessaryto support HondaJet production ramp-up beginning in2012. T&T
42 • ­TWIN & TURBINE
FEBRUARY 2011