Honda Unveils HondaJet 2600 Concept

Honda unveiled its concept for the HondaJet 2600 in front of a large crowd at NBAA-BACE at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Tuesday.

Honda Aircraft Company president and CEO Michimasa Fujino introduced the airplane as a light jet, though it teeters on the midsize class in both performance and size, with room for 11 people including one or two pilots.

The twinjet will feature over-the-wing engine mounts, natural laminar flow technology and a composite fuselage.

“The conditions in the business aviation industry have signaled the need for rapid cross-country travel, the ability to carry more passengers and payload, and to develop systems to cut carbon emissions,” Fujino said. “In response we developed the HondaJet 2600 Concept.”

As the name implies, the airplane is in the concept stage. But, should it reach the market, it’s expected to boast:

Fujino said the pressurization system, which will bring the cabin down to 6,363 feet at FL470, along with the quietness and comfort offered by the cabin design, will allow occupants to arrive at their destination with less fatigue.

The cabin design offers three configurations: double club, executive and divan, which features a side facing couch. The foot rests on the club seats fold up to provide a flat platform on which to put a light mattress for those who want to take a nap in the back.

HondaJet introduced skylights in the lav of its HA-420. The 2600 adds two skylights to the main cabin area as well.

Fujino said the 120 cubic foot cargo compartment is designed to accommodate oversized items like skis, surfboards and bikes.

On the pilots’ end of the airplane, Garmin’s G3000 will dominate the panel. Engines have not yet been selected, but Fujino announced that autothrottles will help manage the power.

The airplane will also have autobrakes. The brake setting is preset in the FMS and a brake-by-wire system will provide reliable braking.

In addition to increased ease of operation, the 2600 cockpit provides more space than the HA-420. The cockpit is 62.5 inches tall and 61 inches wide, 4.5 inches taller and 1 inch wider than the smaller sibling.

Honda Aircraft is also focused on reducing greenhouse emissions in the development of the HondaJet 2600. Fujino expects a CO2 emission reduction of 20 percent compared with light jets and 40 percent compared with midsize jets with comparable performance