Honda has reached new heights with the development of its first aircraft. One-year after the Honda Aircraft Company first began testing the sky it now makes significant strides towards certification with the F2 HondaJet. While Bel Air Honda understands that those in the Fallston area are more likely to ride in a Honda Civic than a company aircraft, we believe it's important to stay informed on all Big H initiatives.

Michimasa Fujino, President and CEO of Honda Aircraft Company, explains, "The first flight of a flight test aircraft is an important milestone for an aircraft certification program and the fact that we achieved F2's first flight shortly after receiving its engines illustrates our team's preparation and readiness."¹

For those who aren't all that familiar with traveling in the sky, key components to the F2 test flight included: takeoff and climb, landing gear operation, aircraft handling, flap operations and air data system checks. In addition to advancements in performance made by this latest tester aircraft, Honda has also seen improvements for the F1 which first took flight on Dec. 10, 2010. The F1 has exceeded the company's speed expectations and reached an impressive climb rate of 4,000 feet per minute.

So what does this all mean for more "grounded" Honda lovers? It means that the brand they trust is pushing itself in new fields and expanding its horizons...literally. Not only that, but we at Bel Air Honda see a commonality in the way the automaker approaches vehicles and the way its aircraft arm approaches planes. In both cases, safety and performance come first.

To experience the brand and any one of its new Honda models for yourself, feel free to contact us online or stop by Bel Air Honda at 1800 Bel Air Rd. Fallston, MD 21047.

Source: ¹http://www.marketwatch.com/story/honda-aircraft-achieves-first-flight-of-third-faa-conforming-hondajet-and-announces-milestone-on-remaining-test-fleet-2011-12-20