Experimental HondaJet with over-the-wing engines

Honda is already one of the world's leading producers of mobility products including making more engines than any other manufacturer (19 million a year), plus automobiles, motorcycles, ATVs, power products, marine engines, personal watercraft and in the not-too-distant future, light jets. Honda’s aeronautical ambitions have taken shape in the form of the experimental HondaJet boasting a number of innovations including a patented over-the-wing engine-mount configuration, a natural-laminar flow (NLF) wing and fuselage nose, and an advanced all-composite fuselage structure. The over-the-wing engine-mount configuration helps eliminate the need for a structure to mount the engines to the rear fuselage and, thus, maximizes the space in the fuselage. Further, by determining the optimal position for the engines, the over-the-wing mount actually reduces drag at high speed to improve fuel efficiency.

The experimental HondaJet is an advanced, lightweight, compact business jet that features far better fuel efficiency, more available space in the fuselage, and higher cruise speed than conventional aircraft in its class. The HondaJet is powered by two Honda HF-118 engines, each rated at 1,670-pound thrust at takeoff power.

The result of 19 years of research on small aircraft, HondaJet includes a series of innovations. The NLF wing and NLF fuselage nose were developed through extensive analyses and wind-tunnel testing. These designs help HondaJet achieve a low drag coefficient.

The advanced all-composite fuselage structure consists of a combination of honeycomb sandwich structure and co-cured stiffened panels. It was developed to reduce weight and manufacturing costs. This experimental aircraft is also outfitted with a state-of-the-art glass cockpit with an integrated avionics system, as well as an autopilot function.

To date the HondaJet has completed more than 156 hours of flight-testing since December 2003. So far it has achieved an altitude of 43,000 feet and a speed of 393 knots (at ISA+8 degC condition).