In an elaborate ceremony during last week’s NBAA convention, HondaJet not only revealed a new interior for its very light jet but new colors for its livery. It also announced its exclusive dealership model, complete with a virtual tour of the five facilities to be built in the United States which include full-size hangars. Finally, it announced its partnership with Flight Safety International in developing the HondaJet pilot training program which will be analyzed with other VLJ training programs in a future issue of AviationToday's VLJ Report.
The advances in the design and sales and service network where announced by Michimasa Fujino, president & CEO, Honda Aircraft Company. "From the beginning, it has been our goal to bring new value to the field of aviation," he told a large crowd gathered at its stand. “With a focus on innovation we will continue our efforts to deliver a product of outstanding performance, quality and comfort with the best sales and service operation to exceed customer expectations."
Designed by Honda’s own research and development unit, HondaJet's new interior concept was introduced with a special focus on human fit, ergonomic efficiency and safety for the customer. Honda has created a cabin environment befitting the company's reputation for world-class engineering and attention to detail in the quality of materials, design and construction.
Fujino was especially proud of the fact the jet offered a lavatory for passengers, unlike other VLJs such as the Eclipse 500 or Adam700. He joked that the lav was so nice, it was his hope that passengers would pass up the bathroom at the FBO in favor of the lav on the plane.
HondaJet's new cockpit design incorporated learning from extensive study on the human factors of pilots and pays special attention to the layout. The production version of HondaJet will also incorporate an all-glass avionics package developed for HondaJet by Garmin(R).
Honda also provided a glimpse into potential additional production colors, with colors on display including the standard HondaJet blue as well as a brilliant HondaJet Silver Metallic; a rich HondaJet Red; as well as versions in HondaJet Green and HondaJet Yellow.
For the first time, Honda Aircraft Company showed its proposed design specifications for standalone HondaJet sales and service dealer facilities to be established throughout the United States over the next several years. The facilities will feature a large hangar for service operations and will be designed to provide a new level of customer sales and service support in the light jet class.
As part of its continuing commitment to safety, Honda Aircraft Company partnered with Flight Safety International (FSI) to conduct the HondaJet pilot training program, including the development of a Level-D full motion flight simulator for HondaJet. The first simulator will be installed at Honda Aircraft Company's new headquarters facility in Greensboro, N.C. Additional training facilities will be established in the future as HondaJet sales grow.
The first test flight of a conforming model is set for early 2009, with the overall timetable calling for type certification in 2010.
Honda’s first-ever commercial aircraft offers an eight-seat capacity and greater baggage space as well as a “class-topping cruise speed and fuel efficiency,” according to the company. All major assembly and testing of the prototype HondaJet has been done at the company's existing Greensboro, N.C.facility, which opened in 2001 as an extension of Honda's global R&D operations.
In late June, Honda broke ground for a new facility in Greensboro that will replace the company's existing complex. Phase one of construction will be completed in spring 2008, and will consist of offices, research facilities and a hangar. The HondaJet production facility is currently in the design phase, with construction planned to begin following the completion of the headquarters. The company is on target to begin deliveries of HondaJet to customers in 2010.
Honda Aircraft Company, Inc, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Founded in Japan in 1948, Honda began operations in the U.S. in 1959 with the establishment of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Honda's first overseas subsidiary.