Following the revelation of Honda’s concept HondaJet 2600 in 2021, the company has launched marketing for what it is now calling the HondaJetEchelon, a plane it says will be ready in five years and offers a paradigm-shifting “mid-sized jet experience in the light jet category.”
Production for the craft is due to start in the U.S. in 2024, with the first flight scheduled for 2026 and certification 2028.
“Class-leading”
Introduced as a mock-up at 2023’s National Business Aviation Conventionand Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), the Echelon aims to be the world’s first single-pilot light jet capable of nonstop transcontinental flight across the United States. Its spec includes Garmin G3000 avionics and Williams International FJ44-4C engines.
Piloting is said to be made simple with Echelon’s technical innovations including autothrottle, Emergency Autoland, autobrake, Advanced Steering Augmentation System (ASAS) and Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting System (ROAAS).
With seating for up to 11 occupants (one crew member, plus 10 passengers, or two crew and 9 passengers, the Echelon features “generous legroom, the tallest cabin height, and a class-leading cabin altitude of 6,363 ft” (1939 metres).
“Space, comfort and productivity”
Targeted at the business sector, the Echelon’s “space, comfort and productivity” are being trumpeted, as well as bottom line factors for potential clients, such as “aerodynamic innovations” that have led to fuel efficiency 20% better than other light jets and 40% better than mid-size jets – the latter clearly being a market segment Honda sees the Echelon taking a bite of.
The prospect of cheaper air travel in a light jet that can take on transcontinental routes could save businesses significant chunks of their operating costs.
“Shape your own way of travel”
The term “private jet” is scrupulously avoided in Honda’s marketing. Perhaps euphemistically, Company President & CEO Hideto Yamasaki described the company’s “long-standing dream” of “expanding mobility skyward”. The HondaJet Echelon is “a product that creates new value for people,” he added.
However with just a handful of seats, the Echelon’s cabin space is not for mass transit. Flyers can “shape their own way of travel”, Honda boasts, since the interior can be configured in at least three ways, according to company press releases.
Executive, Dual Club, or Divan
The “Executive” design is composed of two rows of three seats, with two of the rows facing each other. The “Dual Club” allows for two groups of four chairs facing each other. The “Divan” layout, meanwhile, features a facing pair, a group of four and a large sofa area.
Manufacture and assembly of the HondaJet Echelon will happen at Honda Aircraft Company’s global HQ in Greensboro, North Carolina.
