If the HondaJet were being developed by a traditional business jet manufacturer, we would undoubtedly know a lot more about its future. Those who follow new-aircraft projects are used to receiving regular updates on milestones and test results along the way as the manufacturer seeks to reassure stockholders, lure new investors–or both. Though less grandiose than in years past, ceremonies marking rollouts and first flights represent a significant part of the protocol of developing a new aircraft design. We’ve gotten used to it.
But with Honda, all that protocol goes out the window. The HondaJet program appears to be a series of contradictions when viewed as a traditional new-airplane project. Honda spokesman Jeffrey Smith dispenses information in small doses, while steadfastly repeating that the company has “no business plan” in place for production and marketing of its jet. But engineering reports authored by Honda R&D Americas project leader Michimasa Fujino have twice referred to an eight-city U.S. market analysis.
More In Aircraft
