First Conforming HondaJet To Fly ‘Very Soon’

System ground tests and static structural stress testing of production-conforming aircraft continue at the HondaJet research and development center in Greensboro, N.C., as Honda Aircraft’s light business jet proceeds toward planned certification and first ­delivery in the third quarter of 2012. Ground testing of the first ­production-conforming test aircraft is under way, while static structural stress testing takes place on the second conforming, but nonflying, airframe. Honda said ­assembly of the third conforming aircraft has begun. Maiden flight of the first conforming aircraft (F1) is expected “very soon.” Systems tests have already been done for oxygen, fuel tank and vapor cycle systems, landing-gear ­deployment, steering and brakes, flight control, power distribution, core navigation functions, primary air data and AHRS, as well as integrated avionics functional testing. Exterior treatment of aircraft F1 is also complete, with a new silver HondaJet paint scheme.