Honda Aircraft Company is on track to deliver the first HondaJets in 2015 after the flight of the first production aircraft.
The jet flew from the company's Greensboro, North Carolina, base on 27 June, with test pilot Warren Gould in command.
“With this first flight, the HondaJet program has entered the next exciting phase as we prepare for delivery,” said Honda Aircraft Company President and CEO Michimasa Fujino.
“Today’s celebration is the culmination of extensive engineering and production efforts, and this is an important achievement in bringing the world’s most advanced light jet to market.”
The flight took off from Piedmont Triad International Airport, and during the 84-minute test, the aircraft climbed to 15,500 feet and reached a top speed of 348 KTAS. Following a smooth landing, the aircraft and its crew were greeted by more than 1000 Honda Aircraft team members to commemorate the milestone.
The HondaJet flies at a maximum cruise speed of 420 knots and has a maximum altitude of 43,000 feet. The aircraft seats up to five passengers in a standard configuration and has an IFR range of 1180 nm.