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The HondaJet has been certified by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and the European Aviation Safety Agency and Transport Canada certification is targeted for fall 2016. Honda Aircraft Company Photo
The HondaJet is heading west.
For the first time, Honda Aircraft Company’s brand new light business jet will be visiting Western Canada. Kicking off in Winnipeg on July 4, the tour will also include stops in Saskatoon, Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton and Regina, before wrapping up in Toronto on July 17. The Calgary visit is being timed to coincide with the Canadian Business Aviation Association’s 2016 convention.
“We’re excited about it because it’s the first time that we’ve brought a tour across Canada. It’s a revolutionary new light jet [and] it’s going to be a game changer in that category,” said Geoff Carlyle, Western Canada director of sales for HondaJet. “We’ll have the actual aircraft on display at each of those stops and be able to answer questions about the performance and the aircraft in general.”
The HondaJet has been certified by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and the European Aviation Safety Agency. Transport Canada certification is targeted for fall 2016.
“We really wanted to drive the awareness of the product now that it’s officially certified and it is delivering,” said Carlyle. “From what we’re told, it’s the start of many things to come for Honda Aircraft Company.”
Carlyle said the key features of the HondaJet include its low operating costs and efficiency, accessible maintenance services through an extensive dealer support network, and its leading edge technology, which includes the Garmin 3000 avionics system.
“An average hourly cost for fuel, the engine service plan, and the parts and labour program would be about US$1,100 per hour—so that’s all of those three things combined together,” said Carlyle. “It’s the fastest in its class as well, with maximum cruising speed of 420 knots.”
Honda Aircraft Company expects the tour to attract 250 to 300 people in the Western cities alone.
“Aside from hoping to generate some sales, I know we’re going to generate some excitement from people actually being able to see the aircraft in real life for the first time,” said Carlyle. “People who travel to NBAA or Oshkosh and things like that have probably seen it, but to actually have it up in Canada at all those major cities, I think it’s a great opportunity for us—not only from a sales perspective, but just to create the awareness for the general public that Honda is now in the aircraft business with their first light jet.”
See the full HondaJet tour schedule here.
