Honda Aircraft has started the production line for its $4.5 million HondaJet entry-level twinjet, the company announced yesterday at the NBAA Convention. A handful of initial customer aircraft are scheduled to be completed next year, along with aircraft certification.
“An assembly line for HondaJet production is in place; major aircraft components, including the fuselage and wing, have been produced; and we have started assembly of the first customer aircraft,” said Honda Aircraft president Michimasa Fujino.
The company is continuing its aggressive flight-test program at its Greensboro, N.C. campus with six test aircraft that have met major milestones this year, according to Fujino. Recent testing includes hot fuel testing, fuselage structure temperature validation and GE Honda HF120 powerplant and electrical generator cooling.
The fifth conforming flight-test aircraft recently completed power-on electrical testing and will be fitted with a production interior before joining the fleet early next year. Currently three aircraft are in flight test, one is being used for ground test, and another for recently completed and successful structural load testing.
