Buzz
Given Honda's dominance in motorcycle and engine production, it makes sense they would eventually build their own jet. Check out more photos of the jet in flight.
Image courtesy of Honda Motor Company Ltd. via Getty ImagesHonda Motor Co.'s reputation for engineering excellence is renowned globally. The company is a trailblazer in the automotive, motorsport, power equipment, and racing sectors, but aviation had been an area they hadn’t ventured into until recently.
Though Honda's founder, Soichiro Honda, passed away in 1991, his dream of entering the aviation industry lived on. In 1997, Honda drafted its first design for the HondaJet, a small, lightweight business jet with a unique over-the-wing engine configuration. By 2003, the HondaJet had completed its first successful flight, and just three years later, it earned Popular Science's "Best of What's New" award. With continuous research and testing, Honda invested $120 million in a dedicated research and production facility in North Carolina.
Over a decade and more than $1 billion since its first sketch, the HondaJet has been developed, but it's still not quite ready for mass production. While setbacks have delayed its official debut, over 100 customers have already purchased the $4.5 million aircraft [source: Ray and Ohnsman].
It's not surprising that the world's largest producer of motorcycles and engines would aim to create its own aircraft, particularly given its commitment to innovation, demonstrated by its ongoing investment in one of the world's most famous robots, ASIMO.
What sets the HondaJet apart from other aircraft?
Design and Specifications
On December 17, 2003, Takeo Fukui, President and Representative Director of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., stood beside a HondaJet model at a media conference in Tokyo, Japan.
Photo: Koichi Kamoshida/Getty ImagesIn developing a revolutionary business jet, Honda has incorporated innovative designs and technologies that distinguish it from other jets. A key feature is the natural-laminar flow (NLF) design, which enhances the aerodynamics of the aircraft. The concept of NLF relates to the uninterrupted airflow over a wing's surface. A smooth and continuous flow over the wing results in greater aerodynamics, whereas disruptions in airflow caused by materials or construction lead to a less efficient wing surface.
The HondaJet's NLF wing design minimizes air drag and is built with fewer parts, which Honda claims will streamline manufacturing processes.
Another vital element of the HondaJet's design is its all-composite fuselage. While not the first to use this design (the Boeing Dreamliner also features one), the composite fuselage reduces production steps and enhances fuel efficiency for the HondaJet.
The composite fuselage design also opens up more cabin space. The HondaJet can accommodate up to five passengers and two crew members, plus offers 66 cubic feet of luggage space. Cabin features include fully adjustable leather seats, power window shades, a private bathroom with a black marble sink, and even a drop-down aisle to make passenger movement more convenient.
The HondaJet boasts a range of approximately 1,400 nautical miles. A nautical mile (nm) is roughly 1.15 miles on land; for reference, the distance from New York to Los Angeles is just over 2,100 nm [source: Stratos Jets]. Honda's over-the-wing engines enable the plane to reach speeds of up to 489 miles per hour, or around 420 KTAS, where KTAS stands for knots true airspeed [source: Honda].
Next, discover the technology that powers the HondaJet into the skies -- the innovative over-the-wing engines designed by Honda.
HondaJet Engine
The result of 20 years of aviation research, HondaJet innovations include a patented over-the-wing engine-mount configuration, a natural-laminar flow (NLF) wing and fuselage nose, and an advanced all-composite fuselage structure.
Courtesy of Honda Motor Co.One of the most remarkable engineering achievements of the HondaJet is its over-the-wing engine placement. While traditional aircraft typically mount their engines below the wings, Honda's research team discovered that positioning the engine above the wing actually reduces drag compared to the conventional rear fuselage engine mount. This design choice also frees up space in the cabin by eliminating the support structures that would otherwise be needed in a traditional engine mount configuration.
Honda's engineering team, through both theoretical analysis and practical testing, identified the optimal location for an engine above the wing that minimizes aerodynamic interference and reduces overall wind drag.
The placement of the engines is just one impressive aspect of the HondaJet. According to Honda, the engines feature a high thrust-to-weight ratio, contributing to the jet’s "exceptionally high range and substantial payload capacity." Each engine weighs under 400 pounds and consumes less than 0.70 pounds of fuel per hour per pound of force (lb/hr/lbf) [source: Honda]. This metric, known as specific fuel consumption, measures the fuel efficiency of aircraft engines. Honda claims that their engine is both lightweight and fuel-efficient compared to others in the same category.
Developed in collaboration with General Electric, the engine's engineering specifications make it both efficient and distinctive when compared to other business jets. However, the engine has encountered some challenges along the way.
In late 2011, during ground engine testing, Honda discovered that the engines were generating ice, which caused minor damage and a reduction in thrust. This setback led to a delay in the aircraft's commercial launch, pushing it back to 2013. While this may seem like a short delay, it's important to note that the plane was initially conceived and sketched in 1997.
Despite the latest delay, Honda remains confident that its jet will become a dominant player in the expanding small jet market.
