Story ID: 
HondaJet Program Delayed One Year
By: AIN Staff
Caption: Citing global aerospace industry challenges, Honda Aircraft last month announced that it is moving the projected first flight of a production-conforming Ho
Word Count: 126
Citing global aerospace industry challenges, Honda Aircraft last month announced that it is moving the projected first flight of a production-conforming HondaJet to January next year, a delay of nearly a year from its previous schedule. A HondaJet prototype has been flying since Dec. 3, 2003. According to the company, difficulties in receiving critical components for conforming aircraft production will also delay first deliveries, now planned for the fourth quarter of 2011. FAA certification is now expected 15 to 18 months after the first production-conforming HondaJet flies. “We have been working closely with our suppliers over the past year to minimize the effect of the ongoing worldwide economic instability on HondaJet development,” said Honda Aircraft president and CEO Michimasa Fujino. “Unfortunately, we now have no choice but to revise our schedule.”