Honda Aircraft Says Greensboro's The Place

Honda Aircraft Company announced Friday it has selected the site to manufacture its upcoming light jet: North Carolina's Piedmont Triad International Airport (KGSO).

The Greensboro News-Record reports Honda will build the new plant adjacent to its headquarters at the airport.

"We all know that North Carolina is home to the first flight and now Honda Aircraft knows it has a place for its new HondaJet to really take off," said North Carolina Governor Mike Easley.

Construction on the new manufacturing facility will start immediately, according to news reports, and is scheduled to be wrapped up by November. Local officials expect the facility to create 283 high-paying jobs over the next five years.

"For five years, Greensboro has served as the home of HondaJet, as we have worked to take our dream from the drawing board to the sky," said Honda Aircraft President and CEO Michimasa Fujino. "I wanted to stay away from the big aviation community. Atlanta and the aviation community was close enough, but Greensboro was also far enough away. Greensboro was a good size, a good combination."

State and local governments approved over $8 million in incentives and other grants for the project. Thursday, Guilford County commissioners wrapped up the final portion of a $1.4 million local incentive package for the company by a 9-1 vote.

"Normally I hesitate on incentives," said Commissioner Kay Cashion. "There's no way that I could possibly hesitate on voting for this."

Initial cost of construction will be about $60 million, one-third of which is for equipment.

As Aero-News reported, Honda established the Honda Aircraft Company last August to oversee development, construction, and sales of its $3.65-million, six-seat VLJ. The company expects first deliveries by 2010, with average sales of about 70 planes per year.

Representatives with Piper Aircraft were quick to say Honda's decision to build the HondaJet in Greensboro does not mean Piper will also chose to build its own VLJ, dubbed the PiperJet, at the same facility. The two manufacturers announced a business partnership at AirVenture 2006.

"Honda’s decision will have no impact on Piper’s ongoing analysis related to the best location to build the PiperJet," said Piper spokesman Mark Miller. "Piper continues to enjoy a strong cooperative relationship with Honda as both companies develop their respective jet programs."

FMI: www.hondajet.com, www.flyfrompti.com