The HondaJet officially entered production in 2015. The company is currently delivering about a plane per week to customers. If you want one, you'll have to get in line. Honda has a back log that runs into late 2018.
According to Honda, its first jet has a range of around 1,400 miles with four passengers. Even with a serious headwind, the HondaJet can do Boston to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in less than three hours. With four passengers, the planes can reach virtually any point on the east coast of the US and much of the Midwest.
The HondaJet can also cruise at 485 mph at 30,000 feet. However, the plane can cruise as high as 43,000 feet. This means it's flying above the weather and most commercial traffic.
As advanced as the HondaJet may be, there are also aspects of it that are decidedly old school. Unlike many next generation jets, the Honda features physical control system rather than fly-by-wire technology.
According to a veteran pilot and HondaJet spokesperson we spoke with, he claims he could teach any novice how to use the plane's flights systems in less than five minutes.
The HondaJet's seats feature an innovative floating ball joint system that allows it be infinitely adjustable.
While not as quiet and refined as the bigger and exponentially more expensive $20 million Embraer Legacy 500 we flew in recently, the $4.5 million HondaJet is peaceful enough to carry on a conversation without the need to raise your voice.
First, the HondaJet is a bit of a hot rod. Even with four passengers, bags and camera equipment, the little jet needed less than half of the runway's 6,000 feet to take off. The Honda climbs at 3,990 feet per minute.
That's because the HondaJet is capable of single pilot operation. That is a major selling point of private jet owners who want to fly themselves around. No need to hire a co-pilot.
However, that number can up to six passengers if someone sits in the jump seat located by the door and in the co-pilots seat.
Inside, the cabin is 17.8 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 4.8 feet tall. As a result, most adults won't be able to stand up in the cabin.
... A "frunk" in the nose. Together the two cargo compartments can hold 66 cubic feet worth of stuff.
While the cabin itself is made of a carbon reinforced plastic composite. The composite fuselage is designed to be lighter and stronger than traditional aluminum construction.
According to Honda, this increases the Honda's cargo capacity while reducing cabin noise by isolating the engines away from the fuselage.
Instead of attaching them to the main fuselage, the HondaJet's engines are located on pylons above each wing.
And no. It doesn't have VTEC.
VTEC is Honda's world-famous variable value time and electronic lift control system found on many of its car engines. The system, which allows the engine to be fuel efficient a low RPMs while delivering an extra jolt of power at high RPMs, has become a pop culture icon among car enthusiasts.