Honda Aircraft Company has announced that its HondaJet has officially set two speed records over two recognised courses in the US – from Teterboro, New Jersey to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Boston, Massachusetts to Palm Beach, Florida.   

The records were presented to Honda Aircraft Company by the United States National Aeronautic Association during the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA) Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition in Orlando, Florida.   

The HondaJet departed Teterboro (NJ) at 2.15 pm on April 9, 2016 and landed at Fort Lauderdale (FLA) at 4.06 pm. The 960-nautical-mile flight took two hours and 51 minutes at a cruising altitude of 43,000 feet. Factoring in a considerable headwind of 60 knots and high temperatures, the HondaJet achieved an average true air speed of 396 knots (456 mph, 734 kph) and maximum ground speed of 414 knots (478 mph, 769 kph).   

For the Boston to Palm Beach record, the HondaJet took off New Bedford (EWB) at 7.18 am on July 19, 2016 and landed at Palm Beach (PBI) at 9.16 am. The 1,060-nautical-mile flight took two hours and 58 minutes. With a slower headwind of 30 knots, an average true air speed of 385 knots (443 mph, 713 kph) and a maximum ground speed of 422 knots (486 mph, 782 kph) was reached.   

“We chose several of the busiest business aviation airports with extremely popular routes to demonstrate that the HondaJet will get customers where they need to be faster than any other light jet,” said Honda Aircraft President and CEO Michimasa Fujino. “These missions prove just how dramatically HondaJet design innovations like the Over-The-Wing Engine Mount increase performance and fuel efficiency over other light jets."   

The records are approved by the US National Aeronautic Association and pending approval as world records by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale in Switzerland. Pilots Peter Kriegler and Glenn Gonzales took the HondaJet on both flights. 

The HondaJet is the fastest, highest-flying, quietest, and most fuel-efficient jet in its class. The HondaJet incorporates many technological innovations in aviation design, including the unique Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration that dramatically improves performance and fuel efficiency by reducing aerodynamic drag. 

The OTWEM design also reduces cabin sound, minimises ground-detected noise, and allows for the roomiest cabin in its class, the largest baggage capacity, and a fully serviceable private aft lavatory. The HondaJet is equipped with the most sophisticated glass flight deck available in any light business jet, a Honda-customised Garmin G3000. The HondaJet is Honda's first commercial aircraft and lives up to the company’s reputation for superior performance, efficiency, quality and value.