GE Honda Aero, the joint venture created to build and sell the HF120 light jet engine, finished its first core test in late April and the second core test is planned for next month. Assuming all goes according to plan, the first test of the full production model of the engine will happen in July. The company says the production model has various enhancements over the prototype, which is installed in the HondaJet and has been flying for three years. Details of the enhancements were not released. In addition to the HondaJet, Spectrum Aeronautical is also planning to install the engine on its Freedom light jet. The engine is rated at 2,050 pounds of takeoff thrust and weighs less than 400 pounds. GE Honda says one of the main selling points is the engines 5,000-hour TBO, which does not require any interim hot section inspections. Honda developed the engine over a 20-year period and partnered for its production with GE in 2004. There are about 200 orders for the engine.
