HA420 Honda Jet – a plane that is more than reliable

Honda is better known as a manufacturer of passenger cars cars. However, the Japanese apparently have it in their “blood”: to do something else that is not directly related to their main products. For example, Yamaha, which produces excellent motorcycles, nothing prevents us from producing good music synthesizers.


But back to the aircrafts "Honda". The first-born took to the skies in 2003. The HA420 Honda Jet model was originally planned to be launched into production. During the presentation, the manufacturer especially emphasized that the machine, including the power plant, was completely manufactured at the company's expense, without any government support.

What's interesting about the HA420 Honda Jet

It is worth noting right away: the machine was created "from scratch". Of course, the attention is primarily drawn to the engines, or rather their layout. The turbojet units are located, contrary to the classic rules, above the wing of a low-wing aircraft, which is the Honda Jet. Such a technical solution reduces noise in the cabin and reduces the risk of foreign objects, dirt, and debris from the runway getting into the engine.


Moreover, the units are mounted on pylons that are slightly raised above the plane. As a result, another advantage appears: better flow around the top of the wing. The engine was previously tested for almost a year, having been installed on the left plane of the CitationJet test aircraft. Of course, there were also blow-throughs in a wind tunnel. But not only the power unit was subjected to serious testing.

Wing and fuselage

The plane has an SHM1 profile. To test the product, the T33 flying laboratory was used. The test was carried out in an original way: the skin of the test aircraft was filled with foam, forming the required wing profile with its help, which was covered with fiberglass. 119 sensors indicating pressure and temperature were placed under it.


The wing (it, like the tail unit, is made of aluminum) is equipped with mechanization, 30% of which are flaps. The surfaces are equipped with an anti-icing system using warm air from the engines. The main technical data of the HondaJet HA 420:

✅ wingspan, length and height - 12,15, 12,71 and 4,03 m
✅ maximum takeoff weight – 4,173 t
✅ range - 2 thousand 593 km
✅ ceiling - 13 km
✅ average speed - 777,8 km / h

It is worth noting the relatively capacious luggage compartment of 1,87 cubic meters. The fuselage is carbon composite: the manufacturer claims that its original shape with a smoothed nose section has reduced air resistance by 10%.

Cockpit and cabin

The pilots (two are required, but one is also allowed) monitor the engine and aircraft systems through three large displays from Garmin G3000. The wing mechanization control is electrically driven.


The salon, as well as the pilot's cabin, are hermetically sealed: the standard atmospheric pressure for a person is maintained inside, 0,61 atm., which corresponds to being 2,4 km above sea level. Inside there is air conditioning, a full-fledged toilet (with a sink!), Internet and communication via satellites.


According to the manufacturer, the cabin of the upgraded version of the business jet represents a "completely new level of comfort." At the customer's request, the aircraft can be supplied with a mini-kitchen, including a coffee maker. However, then the number of passengers will be reduced from 4 to 5.

And what else?

This is an amazing persistence and thoroughness (even pedantry) with which the plane was made. It took to the skies in 2003, and the first buyer received it only in 2015. All this time, the machine was carefully tested in every possible way. The cost of a new business jet is estimated at 7 million dollars, a three-year-old one on the secondary market will cost 3,75-4,5 million "green".