I flew on Honda's new $4.5 million private jet and it's an absolute gamechanger
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.
In addition, flight systems are neatly and intuitively organized on smaller secondary touchscreens.
The system features three large 14-inch high definition touch screens.
In the cockpit, the HondaJet is equipped with a fully integrated Garmin 3000 avionics suite.
In addition, the HondaJet is available with wi-fi and a touch screen cabin control system.
The HondaJet's seats feature an innovative floating ball joint system that allows it be infinitely adjustable.
The large windows open, the HondaJet felt open and airy.
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.
So what is it like to be a passenger on the HondaJet? It's pretty freaking cool.
There's even a skylight in the bathroom ceiling.
... A toilet.
Located behind the passenger cabin is a private bathroom with a sink and...
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.
The HondaJet can seat four passengers comfortably.
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.
Time to take a look inside the plane.
... A "frunk" in the nose. Together the two cargo compartments can hold 66 cubic feet worth of stuff.
Speaking of cargo. The HondaJet has a "trunk" in the back and...
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.
What makes the HondaJet's engines special is where the company decided to mount them.
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.
And then there are the engines. The General Electric/Honda HF120 turbofan engines each capable of producing 2050 pounds of thrust.
According to Fujino, the nose of the plane was inspired by a pair of Salvatore Ferragamo high heels he encountered at a duty-free shop while on vacation in Hawaii.
Immediately, you notice that the HondaJet doesn't look like your run-of-the-mill private jet. Honda is particularly proud of its nose and wing design that contribute the plane's performance.
The jet is produced at Honda Aircraft's headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina.
... The Cessna Citation M2 (seen here) and the Embraer Phenom 100.
Overall, the HondaJet is 43-feet long and 15-feet tall with a 40-foot wingspan. The HondaJet is a small business jet whose rivals include...
We arrived at Morristown Airport on a sunny autumn morning. Sitting on the airport's tarmac, just feet away from President' Trump's personal helicopter, was a bright red HondaJet.
Popular Right Now
Popular Keywords
Advertisement