Larger Bizjet Will Use New GE Honda HF120 Engine

Despite the unfortunate loss of its prototype plane earlier this year, Spectrum Aeronautical is not slowing down in its goal of offering lightweight business jets. In fact, the company told ANN it plans to announce the development of a second jet at the National Business Aviation Association 2006 conference.

The new mid-size business aircraft, called the Spectrum Freedom S-40, will be powered by the new GE Honda HF120 engine. The Freedom is considerably larger than Spectrum's first aircraft, the Spectrum Independence S-33 very-light-jet. Spectrum tells ANN the Freedom will sport a true "stand-up" cabin made using carbon fiber/epoxy, to give the aircraft exceptional performance and value.

Spectrum says that like the S-33, the larger plane will significantly reduce operating costs -- particularly fuel consumption -- and its composite materials won't fatigue or corrode. Spectrum's Freedom is designed to cruise at FL450 at speeds up to 435 knots (500 mph) and fly as far as 2,200 nautical miles while using significantly less fuel than any other comparably sized aircraft. The company is targeting certification and entry into service in 2010.

The new jet will utilize GE Honda's new 2000+ lb. thrust HF120 turbofan engine. Drawing from both GE and Honda’s technology, leadership, and experience, the HF120 is being designed and tested with the goal of setting new standards of performance for small jet engines in terms of fuel efficiency, durability, with low noise and emissions. Certification for the HF120 production engine is targeted for 2009. (GE Honda's HF118 is shown above.)

"GE and Honda represent experience, integrity and finesse. We expect their new engine will rise to the quality the world has come to expect from those companies," said Spectrum managing director Linden Blue.

Gary Leonard, President of GE Honda Aero Engines added, "Since the joint company was formed in 2004, the collaboration between GE and Honda has been outstanding. We are fully focused on introducing new propulsion technologies that will raise the bar for this segment of aviation. We are pleased to be working with Spectrum Aeronautical and believe that the Spectrum Freedom has a bright future."

Spectrum's first aircraft, the S-33, was announced at last year's NBAA conference -- and made its first flight in January (shown above). That plane, however, was destroyed in a July takeoff crash that claimed the lives of test pilots Glenn Maben and Nathan Forrest.

An NTSB investigation stated the plane's ailerons had been misrigged following maintenance on an unrelated aircraft system.

FMI: www.spectrum.aero, www.gehonda.com