HondaJet

"Honda founder Soichiro Honda dreamt long ago of applying his company's technological expertise to the field of aviation. A young Honda engineer named Michimasa Fujino crystallized that vision in 1986, as he initiated research and development into an advanced, air-bound Honda. And now, through two decades of passion and toil, Mr. Fujino and his team have created HondaJet.

Mr. Fujino oversees HondaJet development, production and sales as CEO of Honda Aircraft Company, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Honda Aircraft Company is based at the Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S.A.

Message from Michimasa Fujino

I am very pleased to announce that we have established Honda Aircraft Company to develop, produce and sell HondaJet. HondaJet is an advanced light jet with better performance than similar personal and corporate aircraft in its class. We conducted extensive aeronautical research for 20 years, and HondaJet is a fulfillment of our devoted efforts
Developed near the birthplace of aviation in North Carolina, HondaJet fulfills one of Honda's long-standing dreams to advance human mobility. The challenging spirit upon which Mr. Soichiro Honda founded Honda Motor Company is still alive today in the work of Honda engineers. It is this innovative spirit that makes HondaJet fast, responsive, comfortable and fuel-efficient." ... more

"Conventional wisdom has long held that mounting the jet engines over the wing of the aircraft creates unfavorable aerodynamic interference. But through extensive experimentation and testing, Honda engineers discovered an optimal over-the-wing engine mount configuration that actually achieves lower drag than the standard rear-fuselage engine mount design.

interior cabin space maximized
And because there are no fuselage-mounted engine supports, interior cabin space is maximized. It is one of several key innovations that distinguishes HondaJet from others in its class." ... more

"HondaJet’s innovative natural-laminar flow (NLF) design not only increases aerodynamic efficiency, it also simplifies manufacturing procedures.

Developed through extensive analyses and wind tunnel testing, the NLF airfoil design helps achieve reduced wing drag. The larger the laminar flow in the boundary layer of the wing surface, the lower the drag becomes. To achieve a large laminar flow, the HondaJet wing employs integral, machined panels that minimize the number of parts required." ... more

"A unique all-composite fuselage structure yields multiple benefits

A cutting-edge combination of co-cured integral structure and honeycomb sandwich structures lessens manufacturing complexity.

The innovative manufacturing process produces a lighter fuselage structure that allows greater fuel efficiency.

The advanced fuselage construction also contributes to a larger interior cabin space." more

"The lightweight, fuel-efficient, low-emission HF120 turbofan engine propels HondaJet to the top of its class.

A high thrust-to-weight ratio allows for uncommonly long range and large payload.

Specialized fluid dynamics software optimizes airflow within the compact engine, maximizing performance.

The engine's simple, high-performance combustion chamber keeps emission levels well within requirements for compact jets.

Honda created the first ultra-compact Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) system for this class of engine. FADEC provides superior operation and reliability without variable mechanisms." more