We flew on Honda's new $5.25 million private jet. Here are its coolest features.
1. Carbon composite airframe: The cabin is made of a carbon fiber epoxy composite that is designed to be lighter and stronger than traditional aluminum construction.
2. Nose design inspired by a pair of women's high heels: According Honda Aircraft CEO Fujino, the nose shape of the HondaJet was inspired by a pair of Ferragamo high heels he spotted at a duty-free shop while on vacation.
Here's another view of the nose.
3. Single pilot operation: The HondaJet is designed to be operated by only one pilot. This opens up HondaJet the market for owner-operators or people who fly their own private jets.
4. Modern cockpit: The HondaJet Elite is equipped with an updated version of the Garmin G3000 avionics suite found in the original variant. The cockpit features three 14.1-inch high definition displays along with...
... A pair of 5.7-inch touchscreens.
There's also push-button start for the engines.
5. Custom engines: The HondaJet is powered by a pair of GE Honda HF120 turbofan engines that each produce 2,050 pounds of thrust.
It is currently the only jet in the world produced with this engine.
6. Wing mounted engines: Unlike most private jets, the HondaJet's engines are mounted on over-wing pylons.
According to Honda, this design contributes to a roomier and quieter cabin.
7. Nifty seats: The HondaJet's main cabin seats four passengers in a club setup. The seats sit on a floating ball-joint system.
As a result, the seats can move forward, backward, and to the side.
8. Touchpad controller: the jet's cabin tech can be operated using your smartphone or by accessing a built-in touchpad.
The features include the climate control and...
... The sound system.
9. A speaker-less stereo: the HondaJet does not use traditional speakers. Instead, its cabin is surrounded by a couple of dozen transducers that vibrate inside the plane's leather-lined interior walls. As a result, the music feels like it envelopes you.
10. Private lavatory: There is a private lavatory in an enclosed compartment located at the rear of the passenger cabin.
Flip down the toilet seat cover and the toilet is converted to another place for a passenger to sit. There's even a seatbelt.
In front of the toilet is a cobalt washbasin.
11. Skylights: There are a pair of skylights located in the ceiling of the lavatory.
Looking closely and you can see the carbon weave of the fuselage.
12. Single fueling point: The HondaJet has a single fueling point.
It's located in the rear of the fuselage by the right engine.
13. Plentiful storage: The HondaJet Elite boasts a total 66 cubic feet of car space divided into...
... a 57 cubic foot trunk Immediately aft of the passenger cabin and...
... a nine cubic foot frunk in the nose.
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