Why Aerion needed a Honda
There is a strange symmetry about the sad demise of Aerion at the weekend and the launch of the upgraded HondaJet Elite S this week. Although the link may not seem obvious. Aerion was targeting a niche of the ultra-rich and large companies willing to pay $120m for a supersonic aircraft.
Honda (at least so far) has focused on the very light jet market with its new version priced at $5.4m. Aerion (like most manufacturers) was also putting two of the three engines on upside down.
Aerion was formerly launched in 2003. Honda Aircraft Corporation in 2006. But both projects went back a lot further and were led from the start with phenomenal engineering talent. Michimasa Fujino, HondaJet’s CEO, joined the company’s aviation research division in 1984 after working on car electrical steering systems. Dr Richard Tracy, Aerion’s founder and chief technical officer, launched a company called Affordable Supersonic Executive Transport in 1991 and used technology f
The latest version of the HondaJet adds more range and new communications and safety features.
May 2021
In a virtual launch ceremony yesterday, Honda Aircraft president and CEO Michimasa Fujino revealed features of the new HondaJet Elite S, including an increase in maximum takeoff weight (mtow), flight deck improvements, a nosewheel steering enhancement, and new paint colors. The Elite S will be available starting in June and has a base price of $5.4 million, up from the Elite’s base price of $5.25 million when it was introduced in 2018.
The Elite S mtow is 200 pounds heavier, which allows carriage of an extra passenger or flying an additional 120 nautical miles with one pilot and five passengers. The additional mtow capability is the result of “various analyses, ground and flight tests, as well as additional certification requirement tests to prove the aircraft and its structural capabilities,” according to Honda Aircraft.
Honda Aircraft unveils HondaJet Elite S May 27, 2021
The HondaJet Elite S introduces new styling with exclusive paint schemes available in Gunmetal, Luxe Gold, and Deep Sea Blue. (Photo: Honda Aircraft Company)
Honda Aircraft Company on May 26 unveiled the HondaJet Elite S as an upgraded model to expand the operational capabilities of the HondaJet series family of aircraft.
The Elite S holds an increased maximum takeoff weight of 200 lbs, allowing operators to fly up to 120 nm (138 mi) further at a higher payload or to carry an additional passenger. Honda explains the additional range benefit begins to phase in above 650 lbs of payload; additional passenger/payload benefit ranges from 170 to 200 lbs, depending on range of mission.
/PRNewswire/ Honda Aircraft Company today revealed a new upgraded aircraft, the "HondaJet Elite S," at its first ever virtual product launch event themed.