Honda Aircraft Company has launched the HondaJet Elite S, an upgrade to its 2018 HondaJet Elite, which will be available in June 2021.
The new aircraft has an increased maximum take-off weight of 200 lbs., higher range of 120 nm (223 kms) further – aboe 650 lbs of payload – and can carry an additional passenger on a trip from New York to Palm Beach, Florida, for example. The HondaJet Elite uses an average 8,000 gallons (per year) less, for typical aircraft usage, according to the company.
FAA DataComm and ACARS, new avionics features, replace traditional voice commands with text-based messaging to reduce pilot workload. Combined with the newly introduced Advanced Steering Augmentation System (ASAS), the Elite S aims to reduce maximize safety.
The virtual launch revealed new colours for the Elite S including Gunmetal, Luxe Gold, and Deep Sea Blue. A special paint scheme (seen below) was also shown to “represent the company’s continued commitment to research and development of leading-edge technology”.
Honda Aircraft Company’s president and CEO Michimasa Fujino said: “Since its introduction in 2018, the HondaJet Elite has achieved the best performance in its class while also being the most efficient. And with the new Elite S, we take another step forward in expanding the aircraft’s capability.”
Fujino said the Elite S features some “aeronautical breakthroughs” from the previous HondaJet Elite, including the Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration, Natural Laminar Flow (NLF) fuselage nose and wing and composite fuselage.
“We are excited to be recognised as the most delivered aircraft in our class for four consecutive years since 2017,” added Fujino.
