Honda Aircraft receives type certification for HondaJet

Honda Aircraft receives type certification for HondaJet.    Honda Aircraft has been awarded final type certification for the HondaJet, allowing deliveries of the light business jet to begin.

The certification also means that the full effect of Honda Aircraft’s first aircraft offering will begin to be felt in the business jet market and by competing aircraft makers, including Wichita’s Textron Aviation and Bombardier Learjet.

While the single-pilot HondaJet – with seating for up to six passengers and a $4.5 million price tag – comes in at the low end of the business jet market, one expert thinks the jet is only the company’s first offering.

“I think you have to look at the Honda investment as a long-term investment,” aviation forecaster Rolland Vincent said Wednesday. “They’ve made a bet on business aviation … This is the beginning. This is not the end.”

Honda Aircraft said in a news release Wednesday evening that the certification was awarded Tuesday. It said it will begin to ramp up production of the airplane, 25 of which are on its final assembly line.

FAA spokeswoman Elizabeth Cory said in an e-mail to The Eagle that the type certificate had been awarded, but referred details of it to Honda Aircraft.

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