The HondaJet certification program progressed one important step further as Honda Aircraft Company’s test pilot, Warren Gould, pushed the throttles forward at the end of last week on the first production HondaJet at the headquarters at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The first flight lasted 84 minutes, during which the twinjet climbed as high as 15,500 feet and reached a cruise speed of 348 knots, well below the max altitude of 43,000 and top speed of 420 knots. Low- and high-speed handling characteristics as well as the functionality of the avionics, landing gear, flaps and speed brakes were the focus of this initial flight. After the flight the flight test crew was greeted by more than 1,000 HondaJet employees to celebrate the achievement.
With a white and green paint scheme, the first production HondaJet maintains the signature paint job of the flight test airplanes, a scheme that Honda Aircraft Company’s president and CEO Michimasa Fujino said is the only one that will be offered to start to maintain a uniform image. Five colors will be available for customers: green, yellow, red, blue and silver.
The HondaJet is expected to receive FAA certification and enter the market early next year.
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