Honda Aircraft Company receives its first ever type certification from the FAA

Based out of Greensboro, North Carolina, the Honda Aircraft Company has received its first provisional type certificate for the all-new Hondajet Model HA-420. Melvin Taylor, who is the manager of the FAA’s Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) stated that: “It is a pleasure for the Atlanta ACO to issue Honda Aircraft Company a provisional type certificate for the Model HA-420. It is a milestone event for a first time aircraft manufacturer to receive its first type certificate. This issuance speaks well to the hard work put forward by all the Honda and FAA staff working in a collaborative manner. The Atlanta ACO takes pride in being part of Honda’s introduction of such an advanced and uniquely designed aircraft to the aviation market. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Honda as we move to final completion of their HA-420 approval.”
Honda Aircraft Company President and CEO, Michimasa Fujino, is reported as saying: “Provisional type certification for the HondaJet is a tremendous milestone for the program, and we are pleased to reach this significant step toward customer deliveries and entry into service. Honda Aircraft has completed nearly all of the testing and reports required by the FAA, and we are very close to achieving final type certification for the world’s most advanced light jet.”
A provisional type certificate is a design approval granted by the FAA and is often issued for business jets when nearing final certification. As such, Honda Aircraft Company has shown that the HondaJet is safe and meets PTC-defined airworthiness standards. There are four HondaJets in the flight test fleet which have performed to the level expected and which have flown more than 2,500 combined hours. The flight test program conducted thorough testing for certification at over 70 locations in the United States. Subsequent to this provisional type certification Honda Aircraft Company is aiming for final FAA type certification within the next few months, after completion of testing and receipt of final approval by the FAA.
The Hondajet is seen as a revolutionary design for a business aircraft with the engines located over, as opposed to under the wings. According to Honda Aircraft Company’s website, the aircraft is “A breakthrough in aeronautics, the Over-The-Wing Engine Mount was engineered and proven by Honda after more than 20 years of extensive research and development. This innovative technology not only breaks the conventional mold set by the aerospace industry, but also provides category-leading advancements such as a more spacious cabin, noise reduction, and increased fuel efficiency.”