From The Archives: Flying The HondaJet HA-420

The cover of the magazine issue dated June 6, 2016, featured a HondaJet HA-420 in flight. Chief flight evaluation editor Fred George recounted his experiences flying the HA-420. Turn to page 54 to read more.

George wrote: "As a carmaker, Honda is known for the understated style of its vehicles, beneath which lies advanced automotive engineering. But the Japanese giant's first venture into business aviation is a singular design that wears its avant-garde engineering on the outside, with its unusual engine location and low-drag aerodynamics." 

We also learn that the HondaJet was the vision of Michimasa Fujino, an aeronautical engineering graduate who joined Honda as an automotive researcher, but was soon moved to aviation research.  

Read the feature and see the aircraft specifications, an image of the over-the-wing (OTW) engine, the cabin, and the flight deck. 

See the cover and read the full issue dated June 6, 2016. 

Read the pilot report on page 54.

Enjoy unlimited access to the complete Aviation Week Archive, which features over 100 Years of Aviation Week content at your fingertips.

Every issue, every page, every article we have ever published. Your subscription includes full access to the archives, plus current Aviation Week & Space Technology articles (both digital and print packages available).