GENEVA — May 18, 2015 — Honda Aircraft Company announced today progress and HondaJet program achievements during a press conference at the 2015 European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland. The HondaJet is making its first appearance in Europe and will begin a demonstration tour following EBACE 2015.
The European demonstration tour follows a successful tour in Japan to cultivate awareness for business aviation. The HondaJet was featured at public and private events at six airports with flight demonstrations. More than 10,000 people had the opportunity to see the world’s most advanced light jet in Japan.
“We have been extremely pleased with the performance and reliability of the HondaJet during the world tour and are excited to bring the aircraft to Europe,” said Honda Aircraft Company President and CEO Michimasa Fujino. “On its flight routes to Japan and Europe, the aircraft experienced a range of conditions, and the HondaJet is demonstrating its maturity and readiness for entry into service.”
HondaJet Begins European Tour at EBACE
The HondaJet on static display at EBACE 2015 is an early production aircraft featuring the signature HondaJet paint scheme in red with a silver stripe. It achieved its first flight in March 2015 and will travel more than 26,000 nautical miles as part of the world tour.
Immediately following the show, Honda Aircraft will begin a demonstration tour with HondaJet dealers in Europe. Private demonstration flights will be offered in Poland (Warsaw); United Kingdom (Cambridge, Birmingham, Leeds and Farnborough); Germany (Mönchengladbach, Munich and Hamburg); and Switzerland (Geneva).
Production Readies Aircraft for First Deliveries
HondaJet production steadily continues at Honda Aircraft Company’s world headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina, where manufacturing is preparing for first deliveries. Three production HondaJets have flown so far and another 20 are in production flow. Deliveries are scheduled to begin after final FAA type certification is achieved.
Strengthening European Dealer Network with Addition of Marshall Aviation Services
As part of its commitment to provide the best service and support for HondaJet customers from day one, Honda Aircraft has established a strong dealer network. In Europe, Honda Aircraft has partnered with three industry leaders with the expertise, service capabilities and passion to provide the highest level of customer service for HondaJet customers.
Northern Europe: Honda Aircraft Company announced at EBACE that it has appointed Marshall Aviation Services, a subsidiary of Marshall Aerospace and Defense Group, to provide HondaJet sales and service from its facility at the Birmingham International Airport.
Marshall Aviation will support HondaJet customers in Scandinavia, Benelux and Northern U.K., including Scotland, Wales and Ireland. With three FBO locations in the U.K., Marshall Aviation draws from more than eight decades of experience in aircraft sales, operation, management, and support. Its facilities are certified EASA and FAA repair stations.
Central Europe: Rheinland Air Service (RAS) has expanded its sales and service territory. RAS provides sales and service to customers in the Baltic states, Balkan countries, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Poland, Slovakia and Switzerland (excluding Geneva and Vaud). RAS is a recognized leader in aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services, as well as aircraft sales and support. With more than 40 years of technical expertise, its facilities are EASA and FAA certified.
Southern Europe: TAG Aviation SA provides sales and service to customers in Southern U.K., France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Monaco, Geneva and Vaud. The company is a top-ranked provider of FBO services and has a strong presence in Europe with operations in Farnborough, Geneva, Madrid and Le Bourget, Paris.
The HondaJet Ownership Experience
To complement the HondaJet dealer network with heavy aircraft maintenance and major repair services, Honda Aircraft Company’s customer service facility has expanded its capabilities as a FAA Part 145 repair station. The facility in Greensboro, N.C., recently added the HF120 engine to its service capabilities in preparation for aircraft entry into service.
Since becoming operational in late 2014, the HondaJet Training Center in Greensboro, N.C., is preparing to train pilots and maintenance technicians for the HondaJet. The maintenance training program development is complete and has achieved approval from EASA. The first HondaJet flight simulator has been installed and is being validated to align with the performance and handling characteristics of the HondaJet. Both pilot and maintenance training are scheduled to begin before HondaJet entry into service.
“Honda Aircraft Company is currently coordinating schedules with both the Federal Aviation Administration and the European Aviation Safety Agency for certification,” said Fujino. “Following final FAA type certification of the HondaJet, we are targeting the completion of EASA validation by the end of the year.”
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.
