Experimental
HondaJet
The experimental HondaJet made its public world debut flight on July
28th at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture 2005
in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. AirVenture is the world's largest annual aviation
gathering.
The
intriguing HondaJet, capable of carrying 6 people, 2 crew and 4 passengers
in luxury, features a number of innovations. These include a patented
over-the-wing engine-mount configuration, a natural-laminar flow (NLF)
wing and nose section, and an advanced all-composite main fuselage
structure. The experimental jet is an advanced, lightweight and compact
business jet that offers better fuel economy, more interior space,
and a higher cruise speed than conventional aircraft in its class.
The HondaJet's thrust comes from two Honda HF-118 engines, each supplying
1,670-pounds of thrust at takeoff power.
"This
public world debut of the HondaJet represents the continued advancement
of Honda's long-standing dream of aviation," said Michimasa
Fujino, HondaJet project leader and vice president of Honda research
and development Americas, Inc.
Honda
first announced the existence of HondaJet in December 2003, shortly
after HondaJet took its first test flight from its base at Piedmont
Triad Airport in Greensboro, N.C.
The HondaJet is the culmination of 19 years of research on small aircraft.
HondaJet's innovations, the NLF wing and fuselage nose, were developed
through extensive analyses and wind-tunnel testing. These advances
help the HondaJet achieve a low drag coefficient and so increase fuel
efficiency.
HondaJet's
patented 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 available 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 furthur improve fuel
economy.
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).
Diseno-art.com
2005 - 2006
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