Story ID: 162HondaOSH13
Conforming HondaJets Make Debut at Oshkosh
By: Matt Thurber
Caption: 
Word Count: 242
Honda Aircraft brought two of its FAA-conforming HondaJets to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. The two jets landed on Sunday July 28, then made their public debut on Monday, flying a demonstration formation flyby before parking in the center of Phillips 66 Plaza.

“EAA AirVenture Oshkosh has special significance for me,” said Honda Aircraft president and CEO Michimasa Fujino. “This event is where I introduced the proof-of-concept HondaJet to the world for the very first time [the prototype in 2005]. It was truly the beginning of Honda’s exciting venture into aviation. I am very excited that EAA AirVenture Oshkosh has once again provided the setting for the first public appearance and demonstration flight of not one, but two FAA-conforming HondaJets.”

These two HondaJets are the third and fourth conforming models, of six produced thus far in the certification program. Four are used for flight testing and two for structural testing. The third HondaJet began flying in November 2011 and is conducting mechanical system testing, including brake controls, nosewheel steering and flight controls as well as hot-weather testing in Yuma, Ariz., and wet runway water ingestion tests at NASA’s Wallops facility in Virginia. The fifth jet flew in May and is used for cabin systems, interior and optional equipment tests plus FAA function and reliability testing. This is the first HondaJet equipped with the production interior.

Certification of the $4.5 million HondaJet is expected by the end of next year.