Technicians successfully completed windmill and starter-assisted air-starts of the first test version of the 2,050lb-thrust (9.1kN) turbofan, which will power the HondaJet and the Spectrum Freedom.

A second HF120 development engine is undergoing Federal Aviation Administration certification testing at GE’s Peebles test facility in Ohio, where it successfully underwent fan operability surge and stall testing with crosswinds in mid-February.

The HF120 is expected to weigh less than 180kg (400lb) and have 5,000h time between overhauls.

via HondaJet engine passes interim certification hurdles.

Fujino, who is also Honda Aircraft’s chief engineer, says the company is “now reaching near maximum, but we are still hiring experts”, with the headcount expected to grow by another 10% to 20% as it prepares to fly its first conforming prototype in the first quarter of next year. Fujino acknowledges recruitment became easier as other manufacturers slashed their workforces in response to the current downturn. But he says there are always engineers who are attracted to Honda and are “looking for a more engineering-driven rather than sales-driven company”.

A second aircraft will join the flight-test programme later next year followed by a third in 2011, when the HondaJet is scheduled to be certificated and enter service late in the year. Honda plans to deliver two or three aircraft in 2011, followed by 70 aircraft in 2012 and 100 aircraft a year from 2013.

PRODUCTION

Fujino says the workforce will grow to 650-700 for the start of production. The manufacturer has the capacity to add a secon

via Boom time on planet Honda.

via NBAA 09: HondaJet to feature G3000.