HondaJet Achieves FAA Type Inspection Authorization; Honda Aircraft Company's Customer Service Facility Receives FAA Part 145 Certification

GREENSBORO, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Honda Aircraft Company announced today two significant milestones in the development of the world's most advanced light jet. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued the first Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) certificate for the HondaJet and has certified Honda Aircraft Company's customer service facility as a Part 145 repair station.

FAA grants HondaJet Type Inspection Authorization

“Achieving FAA Type Inspection Authorization is a tremendous milestone for the HondaJet program and a significant step toward type certification,” said Michimasa Fujino, president and CEO of Honda Aircraft Company. “We have successfully demonstrated through ground and flight testing that the HondaJet will meet certification requirements. We are now ready to begin the final stage of certification flight testing with FAA pilot participation.”

Type Inspection Authorization is a pivotal point in the development and certification of a new aircraft. It signifies that the HondaJet meets type design requirements and is ready for FAA pilots to perform onboard flight tests required for certification. Nose-to-tail FAA review during this final testing phase will pave the way for HondaJet type certification and the first deliveries to HondaJet customers.

“We have been working closely with the FAA to finalize our certification schedule for the HondaJet,” said Fujino. “Based on the recent FAA type certification of the HF120 turbofan engine and this TIA milestone achievement, we can expect aircraft type certification in the first quarter of 2015 with deliveries following immediately after.”

Customer Service Facility Receives FAA Part 145 Certification

“FAA certification of the customer service facility is a significant accomplishment and a key component of our goal to provide unsurpassed customer service and support from day one,” said Fujino. “I am proud that we could achieve this additional milestone in 2013.”

The Honda Aircraft customer service facility is located at the company's world headquarters at the Piedmont Triad International Airport (KGSO) in Greensboro, N.C. Facility aircraft repair and service capabilities under the FAA Part 145 certificate will initially include component-level repairs and will then expand in 2014 to include heavy aircraft maintenance and major repair services to complement the HondaJet dealer network.

The customer service facility opened in October 2013 as an expansion of the company's world headquarters that also includes state-of-the art R&D, headquarters and production facilities. The facility serves as a corporate base for the company's customer service organization. In addition to heavy aircraft maintenance and major repair and overhaul work, the customer service team will provide warranty administration; service programs sales and administration; provide 24/7 technical support and training; and develop technical publications from the facility.

“The HondaJet program's momentum is quickly building as we continue to reach and achieve milestones in our dream to bring the world's most advanced light jet to market,” said Fujino. “We are looking forward to an exciting and challenging 2014.”

For more information, visit www.HondaJet.com.

About HondaJet

HondaJet is the world's most advanced light business jet aircraft, with best-in-class advantages in performance, comfort, quality and efficiency. The HondaJet is the fastest, highest-flying, quietest, and most fuel-efficient jet in its class. The HondaJet incorporates many technological innovations in aviation design, including the unique Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration that dramatically improves performance and fuel efficiency by reducing aerodynamic drag. The OTWEM design also reduces cabin sound, minimizes ground-detected noise, and allows for the roomiest cabin in its class, the largest baggage capacity, and a fully serviceable private aft lavatory. The HondaJet is powered by two highly fuel-efficient GE Honda HF120 turbofan jet engines, and is equipped with the most sophisticated glass flight deck available in any light business jet, a Honda-customized Garmin^® G3000 next-generation, all-glass avionics system composed of three 14-inch landscape-format displays and dual touch-screen controllers. The HondaJet is Honda's first commercial aircraft and lives up to the company's reputation for superior performance, efficiency, quality and value.

Honda Aircraft Company

Honda Aircraft Company, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., was founded in 2006, though has its heritage in more than 20 years of groundbreaking aeronautical research and development. At Honda Aircraft's world headquarters in North Carolina, the birthplace of aviation, the company's associates work in more than 600,000 square feet of state-of-the-art R&D, production, administration and customer service facilities to develop, produce, market and support the HondaJet with HondaJet dealers. The challenging spirit upon which Mr. Soichiro Honda founded Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is alive today as Honda Aircraft fulfills one of Honda's longstanding dreams to advance human mobility skyward.

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