Following the announcement of the certification of the GE Honda HF120 engine last week, the HondaJet has received its type inspection authorization from the FAA. The TIA indicates that the HondaJet meets certain design requirements, and it allows FAA test pilots to begin the final testing phase required for type certification. Over the past couple of years, HondaJet flight test engineers have flown hundreds of hours in certification test aircraft, with the jet looking to come in at promised levels of performance. Upon certification, the light jet will be the fastest in its segment by about 15 knots, with a top cruise speed of 420 knots.
Certification looks to be back on track following an eight-month delay in engine certification. With that challenge behind it, Honda is bullish. “Based on the recent FAA type certification of the HF120 turbofan engine and this TIA milestone achievement, we can expect aircraft type certification in the first quarter of 2015 with deliveries following immediately after,” said Michimasa Fujino, president and CEO of Honda Aircraft Company.
HondaJet took yet another big step toward certification last week when it achieved Part 145 approval for its customer service facility at the Piedmont Triad International Airport (KGSO) headquarters in Greensboro. “I am proud that we could achieve this additional milestone in 2013,” Fujino said.
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