The Evolution of the HondaJet

The highly anticipated very light HondaJet has been in the development stages for 26 years, continuously evolving to offer superior quality and to exceed FAA safety standards. 26 years may be a long time for no actual aircraft deliveries compared to other manufacturing start-ups, but Honda Aircraft Company has always enjoyed one strong advantage- the financial support and engineering expertise of the one of the world's largest automobile companies. Let’s take a look at the evolution of the HondaJet.


The earliest stages of Honda’s first business aircraft began in 1986 when a young Honda engineer named Michimasa Fujino joined Honda’s R&D division and began studying small sized business jets using engines from other manufacturers. He gained invaluable experience, sanding molds and building composite parts by hand on his first formation, the MH-01- A Beechcraft Bonanza accessorized with a composite wing and tail. This single-engine, turbo-prop plane lead to Fujino’s design of the MH-02, an all composite business jet completed in the early 1990’s. At this time, Fujino reports his work represented only “fundamental research programs…with no intention for commercialization.”

In 1997, with financial backing from Honda Motor Co., Fujino drafted a first sketch of the HondaJet and soon began the research and design to develop this idea into a reality. For the next 6 years Fujino oversaw the manufacturing of the first HondaJet meanwhile studying the physics of the design and implementing to offer superior performance, efficiency and quality. Fujino developed many aircraft innovations still used today: His over the wing engine-mount-configuration improved the aerodynamic performance of the jet at high speeds and allowed for more cabin space; the natural-laminar flow (NLF) of the wing and nose were developed through extensive analyses of wind-tunnel testing and helped achieve the highest possible wing efficiency in cruise flight; And, his all-composite fuselage structure was developed to reduce the weight and manufacturing costs of the HondaJet.

On December 16, 2003 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that the HondaJet, equipped with Honda HF118 engines successfully completed initial flight tests at Piedmont Triad Airport in North Carolina, a significant milestone for the company and the industry. Following three more years of safety and quality improvements to the HondaJet, on July 25, 2006, Honda announced plans to enter the HondaJet into the growing very light jet market. Michimasa Fujino became the President & CEO of the new subsidiary, Honda Aircraft Company, and soon began the process of accepting HondaJet sales orders, pending FAA certification in 3-4 years.

Just a few months after the announcement of accepting sales orders, the Honda Aircraft Company took the next major step toward delivering the HondaJet into the hands of its customers, by breaking ground for its new 369,000 square foot $100 million headquarters and manufacturing facility at Piedmont Triad International airport in Greensboro, NC. This facility was also supposed to take 3-4 years to complete, the same amount of time for the HondaJet to be FAA certified.

Since 2006, the HondaJet has undergone a total of four redesigns, all conforming to FAA standards and newer technology. On May 4^th, 2012 Honda Aircraft Company announced that its fourth conforming HondaJet aircraft, referred to as "F3," successfully completed its first flight, while the FAA evaluated the takeoff and climb; landing gear operation; flap operations; aircraft handling; and its air data system checks. While the headquarters and manufacturing facility has been completed since 2011, the HondaJet is expected to be certified by the end of 2013, which will begin deliveries soon after. Honda Aircraft Company reports more than 100 firm orders for the $4.5 million very light jet. As far as the yellow color, Fujino says:

"Yellow may be unconventional for a business jet, but the HondaJet is a new generation, advanced light jet with high performance and efficiency. HondaJet represents sportiness with high efficiency, so my choice of this special yellow for F3 expresses Honda's passion for, what we call, our ‘sports car in the sky.’ ”

PrivateFlight Advisors would like to congratulate Mr. Fujino and Honda on their efforts and innovations since 1986 and are looking forward to using the HondaJet come certification next year.