Honda Aircraft Company this week revealed a new upgraded aircraft, the HondaJet Elite S.
The Elite S features several upgrades from the base twin-engined HondaJet, including an increase in maximum take-off weight of 90 kg, taking the MTOW to 4900 kg, and an increased in range of 120 nm under certain circumstances.
“Since its introduction in 2018, the HondaJet Elite has achieved the best performance in its class while also being the most efficient, and with the new Elite S, we take another step forward in expanding the aircraft’s capability,” said Honda Aircraft Company's President and CEO Michimasa Fujino.
“As a result of the innovation, design and engineering on the new Elite S, we are once again setting a new standard in business aviation.”
The new avionics features of FAA DataComm and ACARS replace traditional voice commands with text-based messaging to improve the clarity and efficiency of communications. Honda says that, combined with the newly introduced Advanced Steering Augmentation System (ASAS), the Elite S further reduces pilot workload and maximizes safety.
The HondaJet Elite S introduces new styling with paint schemes available in Gunmetal, Luxe Gold, and Deep Sea Blue.
HondaJet pioneered the Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration and natural laminar-flow fuselage nose and wing, when they designed the original HondaJet HA420, which was certified in 2015. Honda says the new Elite S retains all the advantages of these innovations.