Honda is a brand synonymous with motorcycles, cars, marine engines, power products, ASIMO and beyond. These are products and technologies borne of the Power of Dreams. It is this very power that drove the company to constantly innovate on its technology to advance human mobility.
And another result of this driving force recently took flight, literally. The HondaJet took to the skies in December 2010, cutting an elegant shape in the air as it heralds Honda’s foray into mobility in yet another medium of transportation.
This jet took 14 years to be developed from thought, sketched onto paper, designed in the factory and on to its maiden flight.
A Developement Walk Through of Honda Jet: From Year 1997 to 2010
After 12 years of exacting development, meticulous testing, a new class of light jet was born. The HondaJet – the N420HA is the epitome of true innovation in aviation. It provides a satisfying convenience and luxury, pushing the boundaries of business and personal jet travel. It also marks a significant milestone for Honda in its goal of advancing human mobility.
HondaJet is remarkable not only in its ideation but also in its execution. It started with a raw sketch from a thought and along the way, it became reality. Its most unique and recognizable feature is the Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration.
The OTWEM design is another example of top innovation from Honda. Wave-drag reduction is more efficient so that HondaJet actually outperforms clean-wing designs. It also creates a larger, more spacious cabin and allows greater cargo storage capacity.
When combined with a light all-composite fuselage, highly efficient engines, a naturallaminar flow airfoil and nose design, the HondaJet delivers superior performance, better fuel efficiency and greater passenger comfort.
HondaJet is also designed to be mindful of the environment. It meets or exceeds extrapolated Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) standards for emissions. Nitrogen Oxide emissions (NOx) are produced when fuels are burned at high temperatures and they contribute to the formation of harmful fine particles and ozone smog. However with HondaJet, emissions are significantly reduced to 40% of the NOx produced by conventional aircraft equipped with dual 6,000 lb thrust category engines.
With such engineering excellence, HondaJet clocked more than 500 test flight hours in October 2009 with superior results. Meticulous testing combined with higher performance and lower environmental impact has enabled HondaJet to set new standards in aviation and put itself in a new class of light jet.
In terms of interior design, HondaJet offers spaciousness and comfort in an elegant setting. Two interior configurations are available: The standard configuration with seating for seven (2 pilots and 5 passengers) and an air taxi configuration with forwardfacing passengers and seating for eight (2 pilots and 6 passengers).
Mr. Michimasa Fujino, the President & CEO of Honda Aircraft Company and leader of the HondaJet development said, “HondaJet is a more advanced way to fly. It is our new dream for a new century to define mobility beyond the bounds of land and sea.”
HondaJet was developed with Honda’s legendary commitment to quality and world class engineering. As such, to spot the next wave of Honda innovations, your best bet may be to look skyward.