Inside The $12 Million HondaJet Echelon Private Jet
0:00 Intro
This is the HondaJet Echelon, the first transcontinental jet designed for singlepilot operation, making it the longestrange singlepilot business aircraft in the world. Here is everything you need to know about the HondaJet Echelon.
1:00 Cabin
Stepping inside, Honda Aircraft is collaborating with Honda North America Automotive Design on the interior furnishings. The interior is available in 3 configurations, executive, dual club, and divan. This adaptability allows for up to 11 passengers with generous legroom, headroom, and baggage space; however, it is necessary to restrict the load to 5 people to keep the plane running efficiently.
The allnew chairs have a more ergonomic design than the previous version, with 180degree swivel capabilities and reclining footrests, and the seat position can be customized with 3 levers. With 7 feet or 2.1 meters from seat back to seat back in the club configuration, passengers can relax without their feet overlapping.
A bed may be installed at the rear utilizing footrests between seats and a lightweight mattress. Because the engines are located on the wings, the new aircraft features a fullheight galley in front, as well as a big cargo hold on the bottom of the fuselage with a baggage space of 120 cubic feet or 3,400 liters. The original HondaJet had two skylights in the lavatory, a feature that has been so popular that the new design adds 2 more skylights in the center of the cabin.
The cabin spans 62 inches or 1.58 meters high from the lowered aisle to the ceiling and 61 inches or 1.55 meters wide. The Echelon also removes the vibrations that sadly often define light planes. Furthermore, with a cabin altitude of 6,362 feet at its maximum cruising altitude, the cabin has the best pressurization among light aircraft.
3:06 Cockpit
Now, let’s step into the cockpit. Pilots have more space, too, with an additional 3 inches or 8 centimeters of headroom and 6 inches or 15 centimeters of legroom.
The flight deck features a Garmin G3000 system, including autoland, autobrakes, autothrottles, runway overrun awareness and alerting system, and Honda Aircraft’s advanced steering augmentation system, which optimizes yaw factor during landing. The brake setting is preset in the FMS and a brakebywire system provides reliable braking.
4:08 Engine, Performance Specs, and Flying Experience
Now, let’s talk about the engine, performance specifications, and how it flies. According to Honda, the Echelon is also the “first transcontinental jet designed for singlepilot operation, making it the longestrange singlepilot business aircraft in the world”. With a transcontinental range of 2,625 nautical miles or 4,860 kilometers considering NBAA IFR, 1 pilot, and 4 passengers, the plane carries on the unique overthewingenginemount design of the HondaJet.
The HindaJet Echelon is powered by two Williams International FJ444C turbofan engines, with a maximum cruise speed of 450 KTAS, and a maximum altitude is 47,000 feet or 14,325 meters. The jet has a takeoff distance of 3,300 feet or 1,000 meters, and a landing distance of 2,550 feet or 777 meters.
6:07 Production and Delivery
Honda Aircraft has already received signed letters of intent for more than 350 planes. The engineering team completed the preliminary design review, the critical design review is planned for the summer of 2024, and the rollout of the first Echelon is scheduled for early 2026. Flight testing should begin in 2026 and certification and entry into service are targeted for 2028.
7:27 Sustainability
Honda Aircraft also has taken its place in the race to more efficiency with its participation in the 2023 NBAABACE Sustainability Pledge, demonstrating a commitment to make NBAABACE a more ecofriendly event, according to the company. In addition, Honda Aircraft Company is utilizing the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Book and Claim Program for its ferry flights to and from NBAABACE to promote the deployment of SAF and support the industry’s commitment to carbon neutrality.
7:58 Purchase and Charter Price
The base purchase price for a new HondaJet Echelon is in the $10 million to $12 million range before options, and the charter price is estimated at $4,000 to $6,000 per hour. Naturally, prices will vary depending on availability, fuel prices, ground fees, and more.
8:18 Operating Cost
While the annual fixed cost is estimated at $400,000 to $600,000, the average hourly operating cost is estimated at $2,000 to $3,000.
8:29 Outro
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