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Honda Aircraft Company

From Alfawiki
Honda Aircraft Company
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryAerospace
FoundedAugust 2006; 20 years ago (2006-08)
FounderMichimasa Fujino
Headquarters
Greensboro, North Carolina
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Hideto Yamasaki (President and CEO), Michimasa Fujino (Founder, Consultant)
ProductsHondaJet series of airplanes (HondaJet, HondaJet APMG, HondaJet Elite, HondaJet Elite II, HondaJet Echelon)
Number of employees
>30 (initial engineering team in 2006), expanded worldwide workforce by 2015
ParentHonda Motor Company

Honda Aircraft Company, based in Greensboro, North Carolina, specializes in manufacturing the HondaJet series of airplanes. Founded in August 2006 as a fully owned division of Honda Motor Company, the enterprise was spearheaded by the HondaJet’s chief designer, Michimasa Fujino.[1] The initial deliveries commenced in late 2015, and by early 2017, the HondaJet had secured its position as the leading twin-engine light business jet in sales.[2][3][4]

In the realm of general aviation (GA) jets, the company pioneered several technological advancements such as mounting engines over the wings, utilizing natural laminar flow wing designs, and employing a fuselage constructed from carbon composites.[5][6][7][8] Positioning the engines above the wings helped minimize wave drag while simultaneously expanding interior cabin and luggage capacity.[6] Additionally, Honda Aircraft was a pioneer in partnering with Garmin to integrate glass cockpit technology into GA jets.[9] The company’s innovative design and contributions to aviation earned it the AIAA Foundation Award for Excellence in 2018.[10][11]

History

Honda’s entry into aviation research began covertly within Honda R&D in 1986, initiated by a small group of four engineers who laid the groundwork for the company's aviation segment.[12] The concept of the HondaJet was created by chief designer Michimasa Fujino in 1997, with formal development commencing in 2000 when the team relocated to Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina.[13] The initial proof-of-concept aircraft took flight on December 8, 2003. By 2006, Honda Aircraft Company was formed as a fully owned subsidiary of Honda Motor.[14]

The HondaJet introduced several pioneering features to the business aviation sector, most notably its over-wing engine mounting system which enhances aerodynamic efficiency and enables a longer, quieter cabin by shifting the engines away from the wings.[6] Contrary to prior designs that increased drag, the placement of HondaJet’s engines reduces drag by optimizing airflow interaction between wing and engine.[5] The aircraft’s wing is crafted from a single-piece aluminum structure to preserve laminar flow naturally, while its carbon composite fuselage contributes to weight reduction and improved aerodynamics.[7][15] These technological advancements have garnered accolades such as the AIAA Foundation Award for Excellence (2018) and Flying Magazine’s Innovation Award (2017).[16][10]

Following approval for commercial production, Fujino expanded his engineering team from an initial 30 members to a worldwide workforce.[17] Between 2006 and 2015, Honda invested in excess of $200 million to develop a comprehensive 133-acre campus encompassing research and development, manufacturing facilities, customer support, and corporate headquarters.[18] By 2024, more than 250 HondaJets had been delivered to customers in over 40 countries.[19] The company and CEO Fujino have become case studies illustrating startup-style innovation within a large corporate environment.[20]

The FAA granted type certification for the HondaJet in 2015,[21] with initial deliveries commencing that December.[22] In 2018, Honda introduced the enhanced HondaJet Elite model featuring upgraded avionics, increased range, and an optional galley,[23] followed by the release of the HondaJet APMG retrofit package and the Elite S variant in 2021 offering additional improvements.[24]

Post FAA certification, Honda Aircraft expanded its international sales footprint,[25][26][27][28] while collaborating with charter operators to extend market access.[29][30]

In May 2019, Honda Aircraft announced a $15.5 million expansion project at its Greensboro facility which was completed by September 2020,[31][32] supporting increased production capacity.

At the NBAA Convention held in Las Vegas in October 2021, Honda revealed the HondaJet 2600 Concept featuring over-wing engines along with an enlarged cabin accommodating eleven passengers and a maximum range of approximately 2,625 nautical miles. The company assessed market demand prior to announcing commercialization plans in June 2023.[33][34]

Founder Michimasa Fujino stepped down as president and CEO in April 2022; leadership transitioned to Hideto Yamasaki, vice president of Honda Motor Corporation, while Fujino continued contributing as a consultant.[35]

In October 2023 at NBAA Las Vegas, the company rebranded the HondaJet 2600 Concept as the HondaJet Echelon. Development is slated to begin early in 2024 with first flight targeted for 2026 and certification anticipated by 2028.[36]

Aircraft

Overview of aircraft produced by Honda Aircraft Company
Model Name Certification Year Description
Hondajet 2015 Light business jet with twin engines, seating for 6 passengers
HondaJet APMG 2018 Twin-engine light business jet designed to accommodate 6 passengers
HondaJet Elite 2018 Light business jet featuring twin engines, capacity for 8 passengers
HondaJet Elite II 2022 Twin-engine light business jet with seating for 8 passengers
HondaJet Echelon Twin-engine light business jet that can carry up to 10 passengers
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  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named fujino1
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named fujino2
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  11. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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  21. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Honda9Dec2015
  22. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Honda23Dec2015
  23. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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  32. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  33. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  34. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  35. ↑ [1]
  36. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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