When Honda Aircraft Company announced it had received FAA type certification for the HA-420 HondaJet on December 9, the company’s president and CEO, Michimasa Fujino, described the document as “the crystal of sweat and tears.” The sign-off was the culmination of decades of hard work. Fujino became involved in Honda’s aircraft program in 1986. The first drawings of what eventually became the HondaJet were sketched in the early 1990s. The Honda Aircraft branch was established in August 2006, and the first conforming HondaJet flew in December 2010. It is no wonder Fujino refers to the HA-420 as his third daughter.
We Fly: Honda Aircraft HA-420
Key Takeaways:
- The HondaJet (HA-420) achieved FAA certification after decades of development, featuring an innovative over-the-wing engine mount design confirmed by flight tests to deliver superior quietness and performance.
- It integrates advanced features such as a carbon fiber fuselage, a Garmin G3000 avionics suite with intelligent pilot-assist systems, and a remarkably quiet, luxurious cabin designed for owner-operators.
- Backed by the Honda empire, Honda Aircraft demonstrates a mature, high-quality manufacturing and support infrastructure, with a strong order book and plans to ramp up deliveries for the $4.85 million (base) aircraft.
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