HondaJet goes public

The experimental HondaJet made its public world debut recently at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture 2005 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

The HondaJet is an advanced, lightweight, compact business jet that is said to feature better fuel efficiency, more available space in the fuselage, and higher cruise speed than conventional aircraft in its class. The aircraft is powered by two Honda HF-118 engines, each rated at 1,670-pound thrust at takeoff power.

Features on the aircraft include a patented over-the-wing engine-mount configuration, a natural-laminar flow (NLF) wing and fuselage nose, and an advanced all-composite fuselage structure.

HondaJet's over-the-wing engine-mount configuration helps eliminate the need for a structure to mount the engines to the rear fuselage, therefore maximising space in the fuselage. By determining the optimal position for the engines, the over-the-wing mount reduces drag at high speed to improve fuel efficiency.

The all-composite fuselage structure consists of a combination of honeycomb sandwich structure and co-cured stiffened panels. It was developed to reduce weight and manufacturing costs. This experimental aircraft is also outfitted with a glass cockpit with an integrated avionics system, as well as an autopilot function.

To date the HondaJet has completed more than 156 hours of flight-testing since December 2003. So far it has achieved an altitude of 43,000 feet and a speed of 393 knots.