Ask anyone to list Honda's core competencies and naturally the answers will list cars, bikes... perhaps even robots. Honda has been working on its HA-420 executive jet aircraft for several years, and now the first one is set to roll off the production line at the bespoke plant in North Carolina. The company has held a press conference in Switzerland, revealing that the HF120 engines had been installed in the first production aircraft, which will shortly undergo ground tests as it awaits certification.
"Honda Aircraft Company's most important goals are achieving Federal Aviation Administration Type Certification and delivering the first customer aircraft," said Honda Aircraft Company President and CEO Michimasa Fujino. "Our total effort is focused on reaching these much anticipated milestones in the first quarter of 2015."
The first HondaJet will be followed by eight more currently under construction at the plant. To date 1000 staff are working at the Honda Aircraft factory, and the company is establishing pilot and maintenance training procedures ahead of the first customer delivery. Training will commence in the USA before the end of this year.
"Honda Aircraft Company, along with our worldwide network of dealers and suppliers, are working together to support the seamless transition to customers," said Fujino. "We are committed through our network to deliver the best ownership experience from day one."