Honda Aircraft Company has announced that the FAA has granted them a production certificate for the HondaJet. With this final level of certification reached, Honda is now able to produce, flight test and issue airworthiness certificates for their HA-420 HondaJet. The company is currently building the light twinjet at their world headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The FAA presented the certificate to Honda Aircraft during a celebration last Friday. Greg Benson, Manager of the FAA’s Manufacturing Inspection District Office in Atlanta, had this to say, “Honda’s commitment of time, resources, and people, and with the adherence to FAA regulations and guidance has provided Honda Aircraft Company the privilege to be awarded a Production Certificate for the HA-420 HondaJet. Honda Aircraft Company’s continued commitment to quality and safety will solidify its place within the aviation industry. This is certainly a commemorative moment for both Honda Aircraft and the FAA.”
Development of the HA-420 HondaJet
It’s been a long road for the HondaJet, which first showed off the in-development aircraft at 2005’s AirVenture, and then announcing their plans to offer the aircraft commercially at the following year’s AirVenture in 2006. The first flight of the production HondaJet model occurred in June 2014, and finally, on December 8th last year, it received its FAA Type Certificate. This year, in May, it received certification from EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency), and now, the FAA has fully signed off.
“This is a great achievement for our company as an aircraft manufacturer, and it is a very important milestone for ramping up production. Honda Aircraft has demonstrated our commitment to build aircraft of the highest quality and that meet stringent safety requirements,” said Honda Aircraft Company President and CEO Michimasa Fujino, adding “we also want to recognize the strong collaboration with the FAA during this rigorous approval process.”
After receiving the Type Certificate last December, Honda delivered the first customer aircraft on December 23rd and has delivered at least a dozen aircraft to date. The HA-420 HondaJet is a six-seat, light twin engine jet, able to climb to 43,000 feet and cruise at a top speed of 420 knots. For more details on the aircraft, visit the Honda Aircraft website.
Featured Image: Honda Aircraft
