Featuring exceptional environmental performance, compact jet HondaJet proceeds rapidly toward full commercialization

Since 1986, Honda has been engaged in the research and development of aircraft as a next-generation mobility technology. After years of using other companies' engines in its jets, Honda began simultaneous development of jet engines and bodies. In 2003, Honda completed the development of HondaJet, an experimental compact business jet, and began test flights at Piedmont Triad International Airport in North Carolina.

The power source of the 2003 HondaJet was the HF118 Turbofan Engine, which Honda had developed with its own proprietary computational fluid dynamics software. Featuring a Honda-developed high-performance combustion chamber and other innovations, the HF118 was lightweight, compact and highly fuel-efficient. In addition, the excellent emissions performance of the HF118 allowed HondaJet to comply in advance with future small jet emission standards. Thanks to the fuel efficiency of the HF118 engine and a body designed in every detail for aerodynamic performance, HondaJet offered 15-20 percent better fuel economy than conventional jets.

In 2004, General Electric Company, the world's largest jet engine manufacturer, and Honda Aero, Inc. formed joint venture GE Honda Aero Engines LLC to produce a new jet engine for light business jets. This new company developed the lightweight, high-output HF120 engine, which offered 2,050 pounds of thrust. In addition, the new engine featured best-in-class noise performance and fuel economy, as well as emissions performance that complied in advance with future regulations.

Honda subsidiary Honda Aircraft Company, Inc. (HACI) is currently advancing towards concurrent certification of HondaJet by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). In addition to conducting test flights of the first FAA-conforming unit, HACI is currently performing structural testing under various load conditions on the second FAA-conforming unit. In 2011, HACI plans to complete its aircraft production facility, which is located next to its headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina. In 2012, HACI plans to begin volume production of HondaJet and deliver the first units to customers in the latter half of the year.