Honda Jet...GSO?

[dav8or]

I picked up "The Southern Aviator" in the FBO yesterday and there was a brief mention of a Honda Jet being built in GSO. A new light jet powered by thier own engine. The artical said they had flown the engine on one side of a lear and the flew the wing on a T-33. Flight testing was to begin this year. Anyone know anything else?

 

[WrightAvia]

Try this link to a story in AIN. Looks like the jet will have the engines mounted on top of the wings.
http://www.ainonline.com/Features/newbusinessaircraft02/nba_hondajet.html

 

[WrightAvia]

here's an artist's concept of the Honda Jet...
http://www.marcpoole.com/art/aviation/honda.jpg

 

[dav8or]

Wow with the engines up high I wonder if you could get a seaplane mod?

I'm going to be watching for this thing now in GSO

 

[crash-proof]

I've seen about 100 different configurations floating around for that thing over the last couple years.

Only time will tell what they decide to adopt next.

 

[414Flyer]

Toyota supposedly has a project too going on in California, but I have heard a lot less about it..Another one of those hush hush programs

 

[bart]

Hell yes!

A jet powered MU2!

Where do I sign up?

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

Toyota is working on a 4-place, SE recip fixed-gear. The engine and plane are a 100% Toyota design. It will have a FADEC engine (a single lever control for the engine, with computer control-no mixture or prop controls).

Their plan is to do for the airplane what Ford did with the Model-T for cars. They want to build a car that will be easy to use and affordable. The Model-T made the car a possibility for the masses, and Toyota wants to re-create that concept.

In the last month or so, a guy I work with was jumpseating on a flight, and struck up a conversation with his seatmate. The guy said he worked for an organization (he would not name it) that was working on building a brand-new aircraft on an assembly line that would be much better and much cheaper than designs currently available. I'm almost 100% sure he worked for Toyota, from the information my co-worker told me.

I am hopeful that in the future I will be able to afford a modern aircraft. It will be much simpler to operate than the 50-year old Piper/Cessna/Mooney designs, and will sell as new for a simliar price as a luxury automobile.

Cliff
DTW

 

[sstearns2]

Toyota spent a ton of money on Ph.D.'s and contract engineers down in Torrance and seems to have come up with something that can't outperform a grumman tiger. This is toyota's second light airplane. I watched the first get cut up a couple years ago.

I wish Toyota and Honda would forget about airframes and focus on making us a modern, affordable light airplane engine. For those who don't know, Honda is the largest manufacturer of piston engines in the world. Aviation is the only area involving piston engines where they are not a major player. They are doing something with continental. I hope it is a lot of Honda and a little continental...

Scott

 

[crash-proof]

Their plan is to do for the airplane what Ford did with the Model-T for cars. They want to build a car that will be easy to use and affordable. The Model-T made the car a possibility for the masses, and Toyota wants to re-create that concept.

Didn't Cessna do that already? I think it was called....hmmm, let's see... Cessna 172?

 

[dav8or]

I would not look for a revolution from Toyota. Have you priced a Toyota car lately? 46K for the big SUV and I drive a Nissan truck because it was 2500 less than the Toyota. If they make a plane it will sell in the 300k range that you see for most new entry planes.

As a home builder I too would like to see a better cheaper engine. Check out the V220 bombardier is making. It has an AC pump

http://www.vaircraftengine.com/.

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

Yeah, there is a 172, which costs about $250K, which is pretty expensive for a 1940s airplane. Imagine how many Fords they would sell if the sold a 1946 model today brand new for about $100K. It wouldn't be competitve.

The idea is, Toyota will sell a plane that is easier to fly than the 172 and costs something like $60-80K, which is similarly priced with a high-end car.

I hope they succeed.

CLiff
DTW

 

[601Pilot]

HondaJet

We worked on this airplane for Honda back in the
late 80s and early 90s at Miss. State. Not sure
if they have decided on modifying the old airframe
to a new design, but here are the pictures from
the first prototype. These are probably `92 or `93.

HondaJet (Miss. State)

601Pilot

 

[fLYbUDDY]

Where is the Chevy jet?

 

[cessna_driver2]

Where is the Chevy jet?

Right behind the ford jet

 

[fLYbUDDY]

Right behind the ford jet

Yeah giving the APU a jump start

 

[Airpiraterob]

SAAB's been building aircraft for YEARS......and their cars still turn out funky. even their engines. what makes you think Honda can build a plane and have it not turn out too small for us tall round-eyes?

 

[fLYbUDDY]

SAAB's been building aircraft for YEARS......and their cars still turn out funky. even their engines. what makes you think Honda can build a plane and have it not turn out too small for us tall round-eyes?

It seems like they have the aerodynamics figured out pretty well. I mean look at how practically every Honda Civic out there has a wing that is about the size of a 747's elevator. Come on is that really necessary with a 4 banger?

 

[dav8or]

When you are getting 100hp per liter your doing something right. Most a/c engines haven't changed much in 40 years. Even if they mack cheap power the price of the plane is not going to come down much due to overpriced radios. My neighbor has a SR22 with the Garmin stack, (2) 430's, S mode transponder and audio panel. That right there costs as much as my BMW Z3.

 

[sstearns2]

"Most a/c engines haven't changed much in 40 years. "

Actually they have. Check out www.xp360.com

Electronic ignition, digital engine control, port fuel injection, light weight composite oil sump and intake, light wieght starters and alternators, improved materials and manufacturing methods.....

It's like say boeing airplanes havn't changed much becasue a 777-200 looks basically like a 737-200 from a distance.

Scott