ANN Speaks with Honda Aircraft CEO Michimasa Fujina about Jet’s Progress

During the 2009 National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention, Honda Aircraft announced a number of significant achievements in their advanced light jet program.  Providing a first-hand glance of the highly anticipated HondaJet, the company displayed its proof-of-concept aircraft for convention attendees.

In preparation for first flight at the beginning of 2010, fabrication of conforming aircraft is in process; Honda Aircraft announced the completion of several major structural assemblies including the fuselage, wing, landing gear, and empennage. With such milestones achieved, CEO Fujino said the program is fully focused on final assembly and FAA structural testing.  The company has already successfully completed such important qualification tests as RTO break tests, crew and cabin-seat crash tests, and several critical structure parts tests.

In addition, Honda Aircraft announced that it would be outfitting the HondaJet with the Garmin G3000, the all-new, all-glass integrated touchscreen flightdeck. The Honda-customized Garmin G3000 will feature three 14-inch landscape-format screens and dual touch-screen controls. 

The avionics system will have split-screen MFD capability, satellite weather, and optional synthetic vision. The HondaJet is expected to enter service at the end of 2011.

FMI: http://world.honda.com/HondaJet/, http://world.honda.com/news/2009/c091021HondaJet/, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, http://twitter.com/AeroNews