HondaJet gets its first engine

Honda and GE had a joint venture named GE Honda Aero Engines, and has just shipped out their first engine. The engine is developed for a sleek new business jet called HondaJet.

According to GeReports, the engine is now in full production at GE Aviation’s plant in Lynn, Mass. The planning activity is underway and the manufacturing plant will be shifted for the new Honda Aero factory in Burlington N.C., by end of year.  

HondaJet is the carmakers first entrance into the aircraft industry and the new aircraft will have four passenger seats with a possible fifth side-facing seat. This will be the world’s most advanced light business jet.

The fuselage is made from light carbon-fiber composite, all-glass avionics and a unique over-the-wing engine mount that reduces drag and cabin noise and improves performance and fuel efficiency.

GE and Honda have been working on the engine for over a decade now and finally certified it. With 18.5 inches in diameter and 2,095 pounds of thrusts, the jet engine, called HF120, is the smallest in GE’s portfolio. By comparison, the largest GE jet engine, the GE9X, has a fan diameter of 132 inches and projected thrust above 100,000 pounds.