Page 13 - Volume 15 Number 9

and compressed air electric lines embedded in the floor itself. What is the biggest difference between aircraft manufacturing and automotive, aside from the fact that this plant will produce 100 airplanes a year and a Honda car factory can make 1,400 cars a day? “A tremendous amount of inspection and testing,” Horonica said, “and generally, just the amount of paperwork.”
Welcome to aviation, Jim!
The headquarters building reflects the company. There are no offices; even Fujino has a cubicle. People talk among themselves to solve problems and understand what is going on. The open plan keeps people focused, too – the conversation isn’t about the baseball pool or the latest running shoes; everyone is involved in the HondaJet, and the dedication breeds more dedication.
HondaJet service will be performed at five or more strategically placed
centers; heavy maintenance is slated to be done in Greensboro.
Fujino highlighted his jet’s competitive features: “It has the largest cabin and the most lug- gage capacity and volume in its class; it has a full, private lavatory; it flies to FL430, and is 30 knots faster
than its nearest class competitor. We have more legroom – passen- gers do not have to overlap their legs as they face each other; we have a NLF wing and fuselage nose; the over-the-wing engines allow bigger cabin size without making the airplane bigger; and the mounting is quieter.
SEPTEMBER 2011
TWIN & TURBINE • 11