The Biggest Little Jet

Since its 2006 founding, Honda Aircraft has salted general aviation’s turbine sector with innovations the likes of a unique, over-wing engine-mounting scheme; natural laminar-flow wings, and advanced carbon composite construction techniques.

Comes now 16 October 2023 and the revelation—more or less—of the HondaJet Echelon—an aircraft Honda asserts will be the “ … world's first single-pilot light jet capable of nonstop transcontinental flight across the United States.”

The snappy but as-of-yet unofficial Echelon moniker the Greensboro, North-Carolina-based plane-maker has ascribed to its new light-jet offering connotes, according to Honda, the company’s “ … visionary path for the next-generation business jet, elevating efficiency to new heights while also delivering premium comfort and convenience.”

For the benefit of those new to the English or French languages—or merely products of the American public school system—the term echelon describes a level or rank in an organization, a profession, or a society. By way of alternate meaning, the word pertains, also, to a formation of troops, ships, aircraft, or vehicles in parallel rows with the terminus of each row projecting farther ahead than the origin. As Honda has yet to weaponize its jets, Occam’s razor favors the former definition.

Semantic vagaries notwithstanding, a mockup of the HondaJet Echelon will be presented alongside a specimen of the HondaJet Elite II at 2023’s NBAA-BACE from 17 through 19 October.

Honda Aircraft Company president & CEO Hideto Yamasaki stated: "The HondaJet Echelon was born to create a new category that transcends the travel experience on conventional light jets. Expanding mobility skyward has been Honda's long-lasting dream, and the HondaJet Echelon marks the exciting next chapter while showcasing a classic Honda story of a product that creates new value for people."

Introduced in 2021 as the HondaJet 2600 Concept, the HondaJet Echelon instantiates Honda’s attempt to deliver a mid-sized jet experience in the light jet category. Literature germane to the 2600 Concept aircraft set forth the machine would be powered by a pair of Williams International FJ44-4C turbofan engines each producing 3,600-lbf. thrust. So motivated, Honda claimed the aircraft would carry a single pilot an ten passengers—or two pilots and nine passengers—a maximum distance of 2,625-nautical miles, cruise at 450-knots (0.67 Mach), and reach a service-ceiling of FL470.

Cognizant of the need to placate the eco-militant, Honda has loudly and repeatedly professed its commitment to “reducing carbon emissions.” The company contends the Echelon’s fuel-efficiency across a typical mission will be twenty-percent better than that of existing light-jets and forty-percent better than that of competing midsize jet aircraft.

For purpose of ensuring the Echelon remains safely operable by a single pilot, the aircraft will feature sophisticated yet intuitive automation designed to augment pilot capabilities, reduce workload, and enhance safety of flight.

As befitting a premium addition to the HondaJet family, the Echelon’s cabin will prioritize space, comfort, and productivity.

On 13 June 2023, Honda announced its decision to commercialize the HondaJet Echelon and identified a number of key suppliers salient to the enterprise.

Vivified with glorious purpose, Honda personnel have, to date, installed the first structural test rig specific to the new jet, and completed the aircraft’s Preliminary Design Review (PDR).

The official power-on ceremony for the HondaJet Echelon's Advanced Systems Integration Test Facility (ASITF) was held on 30 August 2023 at the company's Greensboro, North Carolina  world headquarters. Detailed design of the Echelon is reportedly well underway, with an aircraft-level Critical Design Review (CDR) slated for summer 2024.

Production of the HondaJet Echelon will take place within the extant footprint of Honda Aircraft Company's Greensboro, North Carolina facility. Early build processes are scheduled to begin in 2024, with the jet’s first flight is tentatively planned for 2026, and type-certification to follow in 2028.

FMI: www.hondajet.com/HondaJetEchelon