picture of the day

It's a Honda

18 Comments

Honda Aircraft Co's HondaJet arrives at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on Thursday after flying from Sendai. It is the jet's first public appearance in Japan. See related story here.

© Japan Today

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.


18 Comments
Login to comment

I've been inside the HondaJet. I would characterize it as a very good first try at developing a business jet. The $4.5MM price tag is similar to its chief competitor, the Cessna M2 at $4.7MM. The overall design is distinctive, with the engines mounted atop the wings (the angle of the photo does not highlight this unique design feature). It also has a softball-sized diameter skylight in the lavatory, which is a nice touch for an entry level light business jet, for it creates an illusion of space. Unfortunately, the range is only 1,180nm, which (according to the prospective customers that I have spoken with) is not appealing. As the development of the jet progressed, the range kept getting shorter and shorter.

Inferior competitive position to the M2 notwithstanding, the success of HondaJet will be more subtle. Since the 1980s, Honda has been trying to develop a business jet in-house. In a world where many companies would acquire a competitor to get into a business, Honda utilized its existing engineering talent to develop a clean-sheet design, which I think speaks highly of employee engagement. General Electric engines power the HondaJet.

I look forward to a variant that has longer range.

Kudos to Honda!

7 ( +8 / -1 )

well painted, nice looking..!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Nice looking jet. Hope it has Honda`s usual high quality.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Sweet!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Yay!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Great piece of history: "Flight Tests of Honda Experimental Business Jet Begin"

http://world.honda.com/news/2003/c031216_2/video/index.html

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Schopenhauer, quote: "Having enjines atop the wings closer to the body of the jet, what about the noises of the engines to passengers?"

Pretty sure I read somewhere that this actually lessens the typical business jet noise.

Try this: "By dispersing much of the engine's noise away from the fuselage, the jet will save passengers from suffering the same ear-shattering din as those unfortunate enough to be seated in the last few rows of other rear-engined aircraft."

http://www.businessinsider.com/hondas-new-hondajet-debuts-at-tokyo-haneda-airport-2015-4

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/hondas-new-hondajet-debuts-at-tokyo-haneda-airport-2015-4#ixzz3YBZAb116

2 ( +2 / -0 )

"TOKYO, Oct 11, 2002 Reuters reported that Honda Motor Co Ltd said today a small prototype jet plane made by the Japanese automaker would make a test flight for the first time next year in the American state of North Carolina."

Early photos looked very much like this execution. Honda, is there anything they can't do?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Why the US registration number? Being a Japanese plane, I'd think the registration number should have begun with a "J".... curious.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Why the US registration number? Being a Japanese plane, I'd think the registration number should have begun with a "J".... curious.

It was developed an built in the us, in South Carolina. Therefore tested therefore flown first and therefore registered there I suppose. Thus no 'J'.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Too small for me. I think I'll take my $4.5 mil somewhere else, thankyouverymuch.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Cool! Was thinking of getting something a little sporty from Honda, maybe this is it!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Mitusbitshi are also heavily involve in manufacturing small cargo jet aim at servicing the thousands of short runway throughout Asia. I think honda have eyes on the area

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This plane reminds me of a pregnant dolphin, which makes it look nice.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Having enjines atop the wings closer to the body of the jet, what about the noises of the engines to passengers?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

It was developed an built in the us, in South Carolina. Therefore tested therefore flown first and therefore registered there I suppose. Thus no 'J'.

My JAL flight that brought me back to the States less than a week ago was built in Everett, Washington but has a Japanese registration of JA735J. The 777 was developed and built in the US, and first flown there too, yet it has a Japanese registration number. I don't see your point.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Why does it have an American code on the tail?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

A major player.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites