The HondaJet Earns Popular Science Magazine's "Best of What's New" Award
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Nov. 20, 2014 — The HondaJet, with its innovative Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration, has been selected by Popular Science magazine as a “Best of What’s New” award winner for 2014 in the aerospace category. The HondaJet was recognized for its superior combination of performance, fuel efficiency and passenger comfort.
“Our goal with the HondaJet was to create a Honda-original airplane that would bring new value to customers through new and advanced technologies,” said Honda Aircraft Company President and CEO Michimasa Fujino. “Being recognized by Popular Science as one of the greatest innovations is truly exciting.”
The HondaJet is the world’s most advanced light jet, and its distinctive design incorporates advanced technologies and concepts. The HondaJet patented Over-The-Wing Engine Mount configuration, natural laminar flow wing and fuselage nose, and composite fuselage were developed from long-term research activities. These innovations combine to make the HondaJet the fastest, most spacious and most fuel-efficient jet in its class.
The HondaJet is fastest in its class at a maximum cruise speed of 420 knots (483 mph); it soars highest in its class with a maximum altitude of 43,000 feet; and it is the most fuel-efficient light jet in its class by up to 17 percent.
“For 27 years, Popular Science has honored the innovations that surprise and amaze us —those that make a positive impact on our world today and challenge our view of what’s possible in the future,” said Cliff Ransom, editor-in-chief of Popular Science. “The “Best of What’s New” award is the magazine’s top honor, and the winners — chosen from among thousands of entrants — each a revolution in its field.”
Each year, the editors of Popular Science review thousands of products in search of the top tech innovations of the year—breakthrough products and technologies that represent a significant leap in their categories. The winners are included in the December issue. “Best of What’s New” awards are presented to new products and technologies in 12 categories: aerospace, automotive; engineering; entertainment; gadgets; green; hardware; health; home; recreation; security; and software.
For more information about the HondaJet, visit www.HondaJet.com.
About HondaJet
The HondaJet is the world’s most advanced light business jet aircraft, with best-in-class advantages in performance, comfort, quality and efficiency. The HondaJet is the fastest, highest-flying, quietest and most fuel-efficient jet in its class. The HondaJet incorporates many technological innovations in aviation design, including the unique Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration that dramatically improves performance and fuel efficiency by reducing aerodynamic drag. The OTWEM design also reduces cabin sound, minimizes ground-detected noise, and allows for the roomiest cabin in its class, the largest baggage capacity and a fully serviceable private aft lavatory. The HondaJet is powered by two highly fuel-efficient GE Honda HF120 turbofan jet engines and is equipped with the most sophisticated glass flight deck available in any light business jet, a Honda-customized Garmin® G3000 next-generation, all-glass avionics system composed of three 14-inch landscape-format displays and dual touch-screen controllers. The HondaJet is Honda’s first commercial aircraft and lives up to the company’s reputation for superior performance, efficiency, quality and value.
About Honda Aircraft Company
Honda Aircraft Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Founded in 2006, Honda Aircraft has its heritage in more than 20 years of groundbreaking aeronautical research and development. At Honda Aircraft’s world headquarters in North Carolina, the birthplace of aviation, the company’s associates work in more than 600,000 square feet of state-of-the-art R&D, production, administration and customer service facilities to develop, produce, market and support the HondaJet with HondaJet dealers. The challenging spirit upon which Mr. Soichiro Honda founded Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is alive today as Honda Aircraft fulfills one of Honda’s longstanding dreams to advance human mobility skyward.
