One for the Elite: HondaJet Elite S
HondaJet launched its Elite S aircraft with fresh colours earlier this year. The new livery is not the only change.
Resplendent in their new colour schemes of Luxe Gold, Deep Sea Blue and Gunmetal, three new HondaJet Elite S aircraft are pictured together ahead of the new model’s launch in May 2021. But it’s not just a new colour palette that marks out the upgraded version of the 2018 HondaJet Elite.
The new aircraft has an increased maximum take-off weight of 200lbs, a range enhanced by an extra 120nm (223kms) above 650lbs of payload and can carry an additional passenger on a trip from New York to Palm Beach, Florida for example. The HondaJet Elite S also uses on average 8,000 gallons less per year, for typical aircraft use.
The upgraded version of the 2018 HondaJet Elite model features FAA DataComm and ACARS (Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System). Also 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), there is a focus on higher safety.
At the model’s virtual launch, Honda also revealed a special camouflage paint scheme to show its “commitment to research and development of leading-edge technology”.
The Elite S will carry a price tag of $5.4m, up slightly from the 2018’s $5.3m. Honda president and CEO Michimasa Fujino said: “The HondaJet Elite has achieved the best performance in its class. 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. The Elite S became available in June 2021.
One for the Elite: HondaJet Elite S
HondaJet launched its Elite S aircraft with fresh colours earlier this year. The new livery is not the only change.
RESPLENDENT IN their new colour schemes of Luxe Gold, Deep Sea Blue and Gunmetal, three new HondaJet Elite S aircraft are pictured together ahead of the new model’s launch in May 2021. But it’s not just a new colour palette that marks out the upgraded version of the 2018 HondaJet Elite.
The new aircraft has an increased maximum take-off weight of 200lbs, a range enhanced by an extra 120nm (223kms) above 650lbs of payload and can carry an additional passenger on a trip from New York to Palm Beach, Florida for example. The HondaJet Elite S also uses on average 8,000 gallons less per year, for typical aircraft use.
The upgraded version of the 2018 HondaJet Elite model features FAA DataComm and ACARS (Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System). Also 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), there is a focus on higher safety.
At the model’s virtual launch, Honda also revealed a special camouflage paint scheme to show its “commitment to research and development of leading-edge technology”.
The Elite S will carry a price tag of $5.4m, up slightly from the 2018’s $5.3m. Honda president and CEO Michimasa Fujino said: “The HondaJet Elite has achieved the best performance in its class. 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. The Elite S became available in June 2021.
HYBRID AIR VEHICLES AIRLANDER 10
It's not a bird, it’s not a plane
Hybrid Air Vehicles is combining the luxurious charm of airships with ever-important emissions reduction.
IN A SEA OF eVTOLs and flying cars, UK-based Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) is aiming to sail forward by re-introducing its airship – Airlander 10 – for regional commercial travel. At 98m (322ft), it will be the world’s longest aircraft. CEO Tom Grundy told Corporate Jet Investor the company started in 2007: “The underlying concept was to take near lighter than air efficiency but from a heavier than air platform.”
HAV has military roots, however its unique selling point is its promise for much reduced carbon emissions. "With four kerosene engines, the prototype aeroplane burns 75% less CO2 emissions, compared with other aircraft of similar capacity,” said Grundy.
It has an electric engine in development to reduce 90% of CO2 emissions, in a 100-passenger aircraft, by the middle of the decade. The first passenger flight is scheduled for 2025.
The target range for missions is under 220 miles (350kms). Although slower than conventional aircraft, passengers will arrive faster than they would by road. He said: “You’re flying end-to-end journeys much faster than on the road, at a price that’s affordable and 10% of the carbon footprint.”
HAV’s passenger-carrying missions are split between exclusive 16-passenger journeys over three days, and regional air travel carrying 100-passenger flights on routes such as Liverpool to Belfast. Other routes will be Oslo-Stockholm, Seattle-Vancouver and trips over the North Pole.
The cost to fly passenger routes for customers is expected to be “between airline price and the current over land price”. HAV also predicts a future in logistics missions. It has already raised $200m (£140m) in funding. How’s that for “lighter than air efficiency from a heavier than air platform”?
HYBRID AIR VEHICLES AIRLANDER 10
It's not a bird, it’s not a plane
Hybrid Air Vehicles is combining the luxurious charm of airships with ever-important emissions reduction.
IN A SEA OF eVTOLs and flying cars, UK-based Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) is aiming to sail forward by re-introducing its airship – Airlander 10 – for regional commercial travel. At 98m (322ft), it will be the world’s longest aircraft. CEO Tom Grundy told Corporate Jet Investor the company started in 2007: “The underlying concept was to take near lighter than air efficiency but from a heavier than air platform.”
HAV has military roots, however its unique selling point is its promise for much reduced carbon emissions. "With four kerosene engines, the prototype aeroplane burns 75% less CO2 emissions, compared with other aircraft of similar capacity,” said Grundy.
It has an electric engine in development to reduce 90% of CO2 emissions, in a 100-passenger aircraft, by the middle of the decade. The first passenger flight is scheduled for 2025.
The target range for missions is under 220 miles (350kms). Although slower than conventional aircraft, passengers will arrive faster than they would by road. He said: “You’re flying end-to-end journeys much faster than on the road, at a price that’s affordable and 10% of the carbon footprint.”
HAV’s passenger-carrying missions are split between exclusive 16-passenger journeys over three days, and regional air travel carrying 100-passenger flights on routes such as Liverpool to Belfast. Other routes will be Oslo-Stockholm, Seattle-Vancouver and trips over the North Pole.
The cost to fly passenger routes for customers is expected to be “between airline price and the current over land price”. HAV also predicts a future in logistics missions. It has already raised $200m (£140m) in funding. How’s that for “lighter than air efficiency from a heavier than air platform”?
