After over 2 decades of development, Honda has provided its very first commercial airplane– the HondaJet— in Europe to Germany-based Rheinland Air Service, Mönchengladbach. The jet was produced at Honda Airplane Company’s world headquarters in Greensboro, N.C. It received FAA certification in December 2015 and instantly began client deliveries in The United States and Canada and is now prepared to be delivered to central Europe.
“Delivering the first HondaJet in Europe is a substantial milestone in our journey to bring brand-new value to the light jet market,” stated Honda Airplane Company President and CEO Michimasa Fujino. “Our first customers who have made their commitment to fly the HondaJet are taking Honda skyward in a vibrant way. It has actually been rewarding to see the happiness in their faces as they take shipment of their airplane.”
As Honda describes on its HondaJet website, unlike many jets that use aluminum, the HondaJet employs an innovative, all-composite fuselage. Honda adds that the fuselage is produced from a cutting-edge mix of a co-cured structure and honeycomb sandwich structures, which leads to much better efficiency and greater fuel performance.
In addition to the composite fuselage itself, Honda likewise promotes the jet’s “Over-The-Wing Engine Mount,” which takes full advantage of area in the fuselage, reduces drag at high speed and results in the cabin being far quieter than jets with a standard engine placement.
The HondaJet started as the Honda MH02 prototype earlier in ’80s/ early ’90s. As per Mississippi State University research study, the prototype incorporated carbon fiber/epoxy composite products.
