Michimasa Fujino Honored For HondaJet Design Technical Achievement

HondaJet designer Michimasa Fujino was presented the 2012 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Aircraft Design Award. Fujino is president and CEO of Honda Aircraft Company, Greensboro, NC, which produces and sells the HondaJet, an advanced light jet aircraft. The AIAA Aircraft Design Award is considered the most prestigious recognition for aircraft designers in the world.

Fujino received the award on Sept. 18 at a luncheon held as part of the 12th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration and Operations (ATIO) Conference and the 14th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Conference, which concluded Wednesday.

The AIAA Aircraft Design Award honors a design engineer or team for the conception, definition or development of an original concept, or career contributions leading to significant advancement in aircraft design or design technology. According to the AIAA, Fujino is being recognized for “pioneering the unique optimum Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration that reduces wave drag and increases drag divergence Mach number. This unique Over-The-Wing Engine Mount configuration significantly increases cruise efficiency and, at the same time, maximizes cabin space without increasing the size of the aircraft.” During development of the HondaJet, Fujino published several technical papers on theoretical design methods and experimental results to prove this unique design concept. He also contributed to AIAA by presenting several lectures on aircraft design and development at universities and industry conferences.

“The AIAA aircraft design award is the highest honor, and I am honored by this recognition. I am so glad that HondaJet’s unique Over-The-Wing Engine Mount technology is acknowledged as a significant technological advancement for aircraft design," Fujino said. "On behalf of the entire HondaJet team, I would like to express our appreciation to everyone who supports this HondaJet project as we continue our endeavor to deliver the world’s most advanced light jet.”

Past recipients of the award include Joseph Sutter for the Boeing 747, Harry Hillaker for the F-16, Burt Rutan for the Voyager, and Leland Nicolai for AGM-129/ACM.

Optimum OTWEM configuration reduces wave drag on the wings, while increasing the wing’s drag divergence Mach number, thus increasing the aircraft’s performance and fuel efficiency. Also, by eliminating the engine support structure from the fuselage, it is possible to maximize cabin and luggage space without increasing the size of the aircraft. By employing this unique technology, the HondaJet offers the best performance and comfort in its class.

Fujino added, “As a leading mobility company, Honda will continue to invest in future innovations and contribute to the evolution of advanced technologies. Our goal is to be a company that society wants to exist. The development of the HondaJet, and its innovative Over-The-Wing Engine Mount design, has been one of those revolutionary engineering processes at Honda.”

(Pictured Top: (L-R) Dr. Neal Pfeiffer, AIAA Technical Director and Fellow, Michimasa Fujino, Honda Aircraft Company President and CEO, Dr. Leland Nicolai, 2011 AIAA Aircraft Design award recipient, Business Wire photo. Bottom: HondaJet photo from file courtesy HondaJet.)

FMI: www.aiaa.org, www.hondajet.com