Honda Offers More (Room) And Less (Fuel)

One of the major selling points of the HondaJet is the company’s claim that the aircraft will be up to 35 percent more fuel efficient than comparable aircraft. The efficiency comes from the clean-sheet engine design Honda created in a collaboration with GE and from the unique placement of the engines on wing-mounted pylons. Honda says the engine arrangement reduces drag and improves airflow. It also makes the HondaJet more comfortable, the company claims. Fuselage-mounted engines require a lot of structural, electrical and plumbing gear behind the cabin bulkhead, thus robbing the fuselage of space that could be used for creature comforts. Honda says its cabin is bigger than some “light jets” and the engine arrangement allows for a “full privacy” lavatory at the back. The only other VLJs offering a private potty are the Adam A700 and Embraer Phenom 100. The lavatory can be replaced by an eighth seat in air-taxi configuration in the A700.