Honda Aircraft Company Announces Major Milestones for Its HondaJet Advanced Light Jet Program at 2009 NBAA Convention

Honda Aircraft Company Announces Major Milestones for Its HondaJet Advanced
Light Jet Program at 2009 NBAA Convention
- Major structural assemblies for first conforming aircraft completed

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Honda Aircraft Company, Inc., today
announced at the annual National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)
convention significant milestone achievements for its HondaJet advanced light
jet program, including the completion of major structural assemblies for the
first conforming aircraft. Also announced were the selection of a
significantly upgraded avionics suite for the production aircraft featuring
Garmin's new, cutting-edge G3000 avionics system, the successful first flight
of Honda's industry-leading Advanced Systems Integration Test Facility,
Honda's comprehensive Flight Ready(TM) Maintenance Service Program, and the
company's FedEx® logistics partnership.

Program Update
In preparation for first flight of conforming aircraft in early 2010, Honda
has completed major structural assemblies including the fuselage, wing,
empennage, landing gear, and other components for the first conforming
aircraft. These components were completed or delivered in September 2009.
Fabrication of conforming aircraft has commenced under the strict supervision
of Honda and FAA quality control representatives, while Honda's manufacturing
engineering team focuses on the optimization of assembly processes.

Honda also has completed successfully a number of important qualification
tests, such as rejected take-off (RTO) brake tests and crew- and cabin-seat
crash tests, as well as critical structural parts tests.

Honda continues to work very closely with the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) regarding certification of the HondaJet and completed an Interim Type
Certification Board Meeting (ITCBM) in August 2009. A formal agreement has
been reached and implemented with the FAA regarding the manufacturing
conformity process for the type-certification test aircraft. This process
currently is being used for the build of the first conforming aircraft. In
addition, Honda and the FAA are engaged in detailed discussions to finalize
the requirements for the first Type Inspection Authorization (TIA), which
allows the start of FAA flight testing.

To expedite the build of conforming aircraft and establish precise, high
quality fabrication processes, Honda has chosen to manufacture conforming
aircraft wing assemblies at its R&D complex on its world headquarters campus
in Greensboro, North Carolina. In addition, in-house cutting-edge 5-axis
milling capabilities provide Honda with maximum efficiency and the highest
quality in the creation of detail parts for conforming aircraft fabrication.

Honda also has completed preparations for on-site static and fatigue
structural testing. Honda's advanced MTS FlexTest® structural test system
incorporates 61 hydraulic actuators and a 2,600-channel data acquisition
system within a structural test fixture designed exclusively for HondaJet
testing. The system is capable of testing the entire aircraft to prove static
and fatigue strength under various flight and ground load conditions. Honda's
test facility includes an environmental chamber to simulate hot-wet
conditions, which is required testing for the validation of composite
structures.

"We are pleased to have achieved such positive results in the completion of
major structural assemblies for conforming aircraft, and we are now fully
focused on final assembly of the first conforming aircraft. We are now ready
for FAA structural testing. Although we face many challenges ahead, every
Honda associate is diligently working towards first flight early next year,"
said Michimasa Fujino, Honda Aircraft Company President & CEO.

New, Advanced HondaJet Avionics Suite
The production HondaJet flight deck will feature a Honda-customized Garmin®
G3000 next-generation all-glass avionics system incorporating a class-leading
layout with three 14-inch landscape-format displays and dual touch-screen
controllers for overall avionics control and flight plan entries. The
HondaJet Avionics Suite provides a significantly enhanced pilot interface
compared to flight decks incorporating the previous generation Garmin G1000
Suite.

The HondaJet Avionics Suite is the most advanced glass flight deck available
in any light business jet and provides state-of-the-art integrated avionics
functionality featuring split screen MFD capability, satellite weather,
graphical synoptics, digital audio, and optional Synthetic Vision.

"The HondaJet Avionics Suite, integrated into our human-centric cockpit
design, represents a significant enhancement in both capability and user
experience. The large-format displays, advanced features, and intuitive
touch-screen multi-function controllers provide a low-workload user interface
that is ideally suited to our high-performance light jet aircraft," said
Fujino.

Advanced Systems Integration Test Facility (ASITF)
On October 7, 2009, Honda Aircraft Company accomplished the successful first
flight of the HondaJet Advanced Systems Integration Test Facility (ASITF)
located within the company's R&D complex on its Greensboro, North Carolina,
campus. This event represents a critical milestone for the HondaJet program
and is another significant step toward the first flight of conforming
aircraft. The HondaJet ASITF was developed internally by Honda Aircraft
Company engineers.

The HondaJet ASITF is an aircraft systems integration test facility, primarily
consisting of two major elements: the aircraft test facility, and the
Real-time Test and Simulation System (RTSS). The HondaJet ASITF incorporates
actual aircraft systems hardware and software, installed in a
spatially-representative manner, and interconnected with actual aircraft
electrical harnesses. The RTSS provides the systems, environmental and
aerodynamic simulation, supported by dSPACE® real-time hardware and I/O
hosting Honda-developed high fidelity 6-DOF aerodynamic and real-time engine
models. Additional simulation capabilities have been integrated to provide
real-time simulation of navigation RF data, including GPS.

The HondaJet ASITF also includes a fully representative primary flight control
system with a high-fidelity control-loading system. The avionics configuration
during the HondaJet ASITF first flight included the new HondaJet Avionics
Suite.

"The HondaJet ASITF has successfully integrated the best attributes of a
systems test lab, engineering simulator, and 'Iron Bird' in one facility,"
said Fujino. "This facility allows thorough evaluation of all systems
integration for enhanced aircraft safety and will significantly support
accelerated development of both systems and conforming aircraft."

HondaJet Cabin Management and In-flight Entertainment System
Honda Aircraft Company has confirmed that the production HondaJet will
optionally offer EMTEQ's SkyPro® integrated cabin management and in-flight
entertainment system featuring all-digital high-definition touch-screen
interface technology. The HondaJet cabin management and in-flight
entertainment system will include audio/video on demand (AVOD), interactive
3-D high-definition moving map, and extensive cabin control capabilities such
as cabin/cockpit communications, climate control and interior lighting, among
others.

AVOD is available through the system's removable media storage unit, which is
capable of storing virtually an entire media collection. Passengers can
interface through the onboard system's multiple media inputs with audio,
video, or gaming systems brought onto the aircraft and play content on cabin
speakers and HD monitors. HondaJet also will offer an XM® Satellite Radio
option, where the system will interface with XM and allow passengers to select
their desired station presets at their seats.

"The concept HondaJet cabin management and in-flight entertainment system was
exceptionally well-received by customers. In order to meet strong customer
demand, we will offer on the HondaJet a class-leading system with a unique
Honda-designed interface providing maximum functionality and ease of use,"
commented Fujino.

Flight Ready(TM) Maintenance Service Program
Honda has unveiled its HondaJet Flight Ready(TM) maintenance service program,
which is designed to maximize flying time and minimize variations in
maintenance costs. Flight Ready(TM) makes HondaJet authorized materials and
maintenance services available when and where customers need them. Program
participation allows aircraft owners to plan on one hourly maintenance rate
based on selected coverage and tailored to expected aircraft utilization. The
program offers three levels of coverage to meet the diverse needs of HondaJet
customers.

Flight Ready(TM) Protection - P1(TM) ("P-One") is included in the purchase
price of all new HondaJet aircraft. In addition to other OEM support
services, it provides a comprehensive warranty program including airframe,
avionics and engine warranties.

Flight Ready(TM) Performance - P2(TM) ("P-Two") is designed for customers who
have access to facilities with qualified and trained technicians. It provides
various services, including airframe and avionics exchange component coverage
that extends to both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance events.

Flight Ready(TM) Precision - P3(TM) ("P-Three") was created for customers who
want the convenience of one-stop servicing. In addition to coverage in the
P2(TM) plan, it also includes labor expenses for scheduled and unscheduled
maintenance performed at authorized HondaJet maintenance facilities. This
plan is Honda's "Nose-to-Tail" service option.

All HondaJet Flight Ready(TM) plans are fully transferrable. Extended engine
coverage - provided through GE Honda Aero Engines - is available up to full
engine overhaul, including all major components and systems.

HondaJet Production Facility
Construction of the HondaJet production facility on Honda Aircraft Company's
world headquarters campus in Greensboro, North Carolina, has begun with the
completion of ground preparations and the commencement of piling
installations. The 250,000 square ft facility is scheduled to be completed in
February 2011 and will house all HondaJet production activities, as well as
test flight operations and pilot training facilities. Honda has partnered
with Flight Safety International® to provide pilot training utilizing
industry-leading full-motion Level-D flight simulators that will be installed
in the HondaJet production facility.

While construction of the production facility continues, Honda's world
headquarters building and R&D complex on campus are in full operation.
Assembly of conforming aircraft currently is taking place in Honda's 187,000
square ft R&D complex that also incorporates ongoing research and development
activities. The R&D complex has full production capabilities, including all
necessary quality control and testing resources, paint booths, and maintenance
support facilities. The HondaJet world delivery center also is located within
Honda's R&D complex.

FedEx® Partnership
At the 2009 NBAA convention, Honda Aircraft Company and Federal Express
formalized a business partnership to provide worldwide logistics support for
HondaJet production activities and customer support of the HondaJet aircraft.
This partnership results from the successful, long-standing relationship
between FedEx and Honda globally and from FedEx's ability to provide a
multi-faceted logistics support network that will enable the most efficient
and expedient delivery of support materials for customers, thereby further
enhancing the overall HondaJet ownership experience.

By choosing FedEx, Honda has the ability to move all HondaJet support parts
through an array of services, depending on customer needs. These services
encompass all aspects of the logistics supply chain and include Express,
Ground, Less-than-Truck-Load (LTL), Custom-Critical, Trucking, Ocean, and
FedEx Trade Networks' Customs Brokerage and Clearance services.

The new FedEx Worldwide Service Center, located near Honda Aircraft Company's
campus at the Piedmont-Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North
Carolina, provides Honda with enhanced flexibility to fulfill critical
shipment deadlines and offers direct East Coast shipping to regional U.S.
HondaJet sales and service facilities. In addition, the ability to
communicate between each spoke of the FedEx worldwide network enables Honda to
ensure uninterrupted service to its global customers.

About HondaJet
Honda Aircraft Company, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Honda Motor
Company, Ltd., began sales of the advanced and innovative HondaJet in October
2006 in the U.S. and has amassed orders for well over 100 aircraft. The $3.9
million HondaJet is Honda's first-ever commercial aircraft and lives up to the
company's reputation for dynamic performance together with superior
efficiency. The HondaJet proof-of-concept aircraft has accumulated more than
500 flight test hours and attained a top speed of 420 knots (483 mph) and a
maximum altitude of 43,000 ft. in flight testing.

The HondaJet incorporates many innovative technological advances in aviation
design, including a unique over-the-wing engine-mount configuration that
dramatically improves aircraft performance and fuel efficiency by
significantly reducing aerodynamic drag in flight. This innovative approach
to airframe design also lowers ground-detected noise when overhead and allows
for a more spacious cabin and greater cargo capacity. The HondaJet is powered
by two highly fuel-efficient GE Honda HF120 turbofan jet engines.

Learn more about HondaJet at www.hondajet.com.

SOURCE Honda Aircraft Company, Inc.

Stephen Keeney, +1-336-662-0246, for Honda Aircraft Company, Inc.