Honda Aircraft completes first flight of HondaJet in North Carolina

Honda Aircraft has completed the first flight of the first production HondaJet at its in Greensboro, North Carolina, US, leading the way for aircraft certification and entry into service in 2015.

The aircraft lifted-off from the Piedmont Triad International Airport and climbed to 15,500ft at speed of 348k during the 84-minute flight.

Honda Aircraft president and CEO Michimasa Fujino said: "With this first flight, the HondaJet programme has entered the next exciting phase as we prepare for delivery.

"Today’s celebration is the culmination of extensive engineering and production efforts, and this is an important achievement in bringing the world’s most advanced light jet to market."

During the flight, the crew performed various checks, including low and high-speed handling characteristics, avionics and system functionality including landing gear, flaps and speed brake operations.

This aircraft features HondaJet’s new paint scheme in a deep green pearl with a gold stripe, a new addition to the existing four exterior colour options, which also include silver, red, yellow and blue.

The company said that the aircraft production is steady, in line with its efforts to have aircraft ready for delivery immediately after the US Federal Aviation Administration type certification.

HondaJet features HondaJet patented Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration, natural laminar flow wing, and composite fuselage, with its manufacters intending the aircraft to be the as most fuel-efficient jet in its class.

It can accommodate five passengers in a standard configuration and has a maximum cruise speed of 420k, with a maximum altitude of 43,000ft.

The single-pilot certified aircraft is currently offered for North American and European markets.

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Image: The first flight paves way for HondaJet certification and entry into service in 2015. Photo: courtesy of Honda Aircraft Company.