HondaJet Elite Business Jet

HondaJet Elite is an advanced, twin-engine light business jet designed and manufactured by Honda Aircraft Company. The business jet is the fastest and highest-flying aircraft in its class.

The aircraft is manufactured at the company’s production facility in Greensboro, North Carolina, US. It was certified by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

The aircraft was exhibited at the Singapore Airshow 2020 in Changi Exhibition Centre in Singapore in February 2020.

HondaJet Elite development

HondaJet Elite was first unveiled at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland, in May 2018. The aircraft made its US debut at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) AirVenture 2018.

Honda Aircraft contracted Marubeni Aerospace Corporation for becoming a sole dealer of HondaJet Elite aircraft in Japan in June 2018.

In December 2018, the business jet received type certification from Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). It was also granted type certification by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in August 2019.

The aircraft received certification from Canada’s Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) in April 2019.

Honda Aircraft unveiled the medevac configuration of the HondaJet Elite at the 2019 NBAA Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in October 2019. Wing Spirit is responsible for the integration of medevac configuration into the aircraft.

Orders and deliveries of HondaJet Elite

Honda Aircraft delivered its first HondaJet Elite to Kotaro Chiba, the founder of Japan’s Drone Fund, while Jet It received the aircraft in December 2018.

In June 2019, the company delivered two HondaJet Elites to Wing Spirit during a ceremony at Daniel K Inouye International Airport.

The company began deliveries of HondaJet Elite aircraft to its dealer Honsan General Aviation in China in December 2019.

HondaJet Elite design and features

The jet incorporates the company’s over-the-wing engine mount configuration. The composite fuselage features natural laminar flow (NLF) nose and wing. The aircraft is also equipped with advanced aerodynamic technologies, which allows it to fly with less noise.

The ergonomically structured cockpit ensures the business jet to set high standards in safety and user-friendly interface.

HondaJet Elite has a length of 12.99m, a height of 4.54m and a wingspan of 12.12m. It is the highest-rated and more fuel-efficient aircraft compared to other business jets of its class.

The aircraft has the capacity to carry a maximum of seven personnel, including passengers and crew members. It is available in different colour schemes, including Ice Blue, Ruby Red and Monarch Orange.

The stylish and luxurious cabin features two-toned executive leather seats. It also accommodates a full-service galley and a private lavatory with optional belted seat.
The cabin is installed with Wi-Fi and a Bongiovi Aviation speaker-less sound system that adapts to different flight conditions.

Cockpit and avionics

The advanced cockpit of the HondaJet Elite aircraft features Garmin G3000 avionics suite with a user-friendly interface. It allows pilots to improve situational awareness and safety while reducing flight planning time.

The Garmin G3000 avionics suite integrates three diagonal WXGA high-resolution cockpit displays, which can serve as either a primary flight display (PFD) or multi-function display (MFD).

The avionics suite incorporates additional features such as stability and angle of attack (AoA) protection, AoA indicator, performance management, take-off / landing distance (TOLD) management and AFCS coupled go-around with under-speed protection (USP).

Engines and performance of HondaJet Elite

HondaJet Elite is powered by two GE Honda Aero Engines’ HF120 turbofan engines with each developing a thrust of 2,050lb.

The aircraft can travel at a maximum cruise speed of 422k (782km/h) and can achieve a maximum range of 1,437nm. It has a rate of climb of 4,100ft/min and is capable of flying at a maximum altitude of 43,000ft.