The HondaJet has received type certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and deliveries of the aircraft are now under way. "Achieving FAA type certification for the HondaJet is a monumental milestone for us," says CEO Michimasa Fujino. "We established Honda Aircraft as a new aerospace company and introduced our first product, an advanced light jet with technologies developed from extensive research activities. We designed, tested, and have now certified this clean-sheet design aircraft, an unprecedented challenge for Honda."

Total flight hours for the aircraft exceed 3,000, with testing conducted at more than 70 locations across the US.

"This day was achieved through the collaborative efforts of the FAA and Honda Aircraft Company," says Melvin Taylor, manager of the FAA's Atlanta office. "Collaboration is not easy, it often is a difficult subject. But when it is done successfully like this programme, the rewards are gratifying to us all."

Honda Aircraft is now ramping up production from its headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina with 25 aircraft on the final assembly line. Its workforce is nearing 1,700 people, as the company prepares for pilot training and after-sales customer service and support.

Continues Fujino: "We are very excited to commence deliveries of the HondaJet, fulfilling our commitment to advancing human mobility through innovation. I hope we soon will begin to see many HondaJets at airports around the world."

The aircraft is offered for sale in North America, South America and Europe through the HondaJet dealer network.

Pilot training is also being conducted for HondaJet customers with a full-motion, Level D flight simulator installed at the Honda Aircraft training centre in Greensboro.