Pilot-in-command Stefan Johansson and co-pilot Howard Judd sucessfully completed the first flight of the fourth FAA-conforming HondaJet aircraft in May. Overall, the aircraft performed smoothly during its 74-minute flight according to the pilots and telemetry teams.

Earlier FAA-conforming HondaJet flight test aircraft have already achieved key benchmarks that meet or exceed the aircraft's designed performance goals of a maximum speed of 420kts, maximum cruise altitude of 43,000 feet, climb rate of 3,990 feet per minute, and more.

The HondaJet is intended to be the fastest, highest-flying, most quiet and most fuel efficient in its class. An over-the-wing engine-mount configuration has been designed to dramatically improve performance and fuel efficiency by reducing aerodynamic drag. This airframe design reduces cabin noise and ground-detected noise when overhead and allows for a more spacious cabin and greater cargo capacity.

The HondaJet is powered by two fuel-efficient GE Honda HF120 turbofan jet engines, and is equipped with a customised Garmin G3000 next-generation all-glass avionics system with a layout of three 14-inch landscape-format displays and dual touch screen controllers.