First flight for HondaJet slated for this year

The HondaJet recently reached the milestone of power-on for its first conforming flight test aircraft, Honda Aircraft Co. officials reported at AirVenture. Officials also reported the consolidation of fuselage and wing assemblies for the first static test aircraft, which will be subjected to static structural testing beginning in August.

“The success of our power-on tests is an important step in the completion of the first conforming flight test aircraft,” said Honda Aircraft President & CEO Michimasa Fujino. “We are now focused on the integration of avionics and other electrical systems in anticipation of first flight later this year.”

Concurrently, consolidation has been achieved for the wing and fuselage assemblies of the first static test aircraft, which incorporates more than 1,800 strain gauges that will be used to evaluate the aircraft’s performance during stress testing. Stress testing is being conducted at Honda Aircraft Co.’s R&D facility on its Greensboro, N.C., campus utilizing Honda’s MTS FlexTest structural test system. The system incorporates 61 hydraulic actuators and a 2,600-channel data acquisition system within a structural test fixture designed exclusively for HondaJet testing. The entire aircraft can be tested simultaneously to prove static and fatigue strength under various flight and ground load conditions. Honda’s test facility includes an environmental chamber to simulate hot-wet conditions, which is required testing for the validation of composite structures.

Stress testing already is underway with the completion of testing of sub-component and control surfaces. These components have been successfully tested to ultimate load under FAA supervision at Honda’s Greensboro facility, company officials said.

While the assembly and testing of aircraft continue, Honda is nearing completion of the superstructure for the HondaJet production facility on its Greensboro campus and will next begin the installation of electrical and plumbing within the facility. The 250,000-square-foot production facility is scheduled for completion in early 2011, at which time pre-production preparations and training of production staff will begin. The HondaJet production facility also will house Flight Safety International Level-D, full-motion flight simulators for training.

Following its appearance at this year’s AirVenture, the proof-of-concept HondaJet will travel to Lexington, Ohio, to participate in the Honda Indy 200 Mid-Ohio IRL race on Aug. 8. The HondaJet will perform a demonstration flight above the track prior to the start of the race.

First deliveries of the HondaJet, which was introduced in 2006, are expected in the third quarter of 2012. The company reports more than 100 orders for the $4.5 million jet.

For more information: HondaJet.com.