First production HondaJet in the showrooms soon ! Honda Aircraft Company, founded not long ago in 2006, has not wasted any time. Less than three years after the first flight of the HondaJet over its plant based in Greensboro, North Carolina, on the east coast of the United States, the Japanese automaker is close to certification. Its HA-420 should in effect be approved by the F.A.A., the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration in the coming months. Because with five prototypes, in distinctive colours, the test flight programme is drawing to a close. More than 4,000 checks, including cold weather and water-ingress testing, have been carried out. Fatigue tests, structural resistance, and the cabin systems also are going well. And if we don’t yet know the exact number of firm orders, which apparently stand at over a hundred, nor the date of the first delivery, likely early next year, the first production aircraft has entered the final phase of its production. In fact six other jets are also being assembled. This “pocket” sized jet, capable of carrying up to six passengers at a speed of 800 km / h ( 500 mph ) over 2,000 km ( 1,240 miles ) will probably be marketed at around $4.5 million. With its twin engines mounted in an unusual over-the-wing podded engine configuration, the HondaJet will consume less fuel (Honda claims as much as 35% higher fuel efficiency than similar aircraft ), reduce noise levels and maximize cabin space, even though the ceiling height is under 1.46 m ( less than 4 ft 10 in ) ! Another originality, like for its cars, Honda will sell its jets through a network of dealers - one shouldn’t change a proven winning team or strategy! Moreover, destined mainly for the European and American markets, the HA-420 has already convinced Jenson Button, the British Formula-1 driver since 2010 with McLaren, and not Honda, as might have been thought, is in effect the first customer on the old continent, having ordered two units to launch his private business aviation company. From two to three-dimensional space, is just a question of altitude.