Honda Aircraft Company held a ceremony at Haneda Airport, Japan, to celebrate the delivery of a HondaJet Elite to the aircraft’s first customer in Japan, Kotaro Chiba, who founded Japan’s Drone Fund. The Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) awarded the aircraft type certification on December 7, 2018.
Sales of the HondaJet Elite began in Japan through HondaJet Japan in June 2018. Since expanding to the region, the company has taken orders for more than 10 aircraft. Globally, Honda Aircraft Company announced the first HondaJet Elite deliveries in August 2018. In addition to JCAB, the HondaJet Elite has also been certified by the FAA, EASA and India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
“It has been our dream to see the HondaJet flying in the skies above Honda’s home country of Japan and we are proud to mark this major milestone for Honda’s aviation business,” said Michimasa Fujino, Honda Aircraft Company’s president and CEO. “Honda Aircraft Company’s goal is to improve people’s lifestyles throughout Japan by introducing them to business aviation with the HondaJet Elite. We aspire to popularize business aviation in the region, ultimately creating a society where business jets are widely accepted and used for personal and professional use.”
“Honda has introduced a world-class personal mobility product for airborne transportation,” said Chiba. “I would like to thank Mr Fujino and his development team who created the amazing HondaJet Elite. I have taken multiple flights in this aircraft and have confirmed its quietness, powerfulness, smoothness, safety and stability. Above all, the beauty of this aircraft is outstanding. When light jets become widely used, the entire country of Japan will become like one metropolitan area, which will accelerate new economic activities. I have strong confidence that today, December 20, will be Day 1 of the ‘revolution in aerial mobility’ in Japan.”
“HondaJet Japan is honored to deliver the HondaJet Elite to our first customer in the region,” said Gentaro Toya, chief executive of HondaJet Japan. “We look forward to providing the highest quality product and service to our customers throughout Japan. We will continue to cultivate businesses that support the aviation industry to ensure an environment where the HondaJet Elite’s convenience will be fully experienced by our customers. We look forward to people throughout Japan experiencing the technologically advanced aircraft.”
The HondaJet Elite incorporates Honda Aircraft’s Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration, Natural Laminar Flow (NLF) nose and wing and composite fuselage. The company says these advancements contribute to the aircraft’s performance and maximize fuselage space.
