Company Profile: Honda Aircraft Company

Would you like to work on a Honda…Jet? Indeed that is the name of a relatively new airplane the company recently entered into the ever-growing Very Light Jet (VLJ) market. While it’s new to the global business aviation market, the concept of such a jet was in research and development for many years. In fact, Honda founder - Soichiro Honda - dreamt long ago of applying his company's technological expertise to the field of aviation. A young Honda engineer named Michimasa Fujino crystallized that vision in 1986, as he initiated research and development into an advanced, air-bound Honda model. And now, through two decades of hard work Mr. Fujino and his team have created HondaJet one of the latest entrants in the VLJ market.

Mr. Fujino oversees HondaJet development, production and sales as CEO of Honda Aircraft Company, Inc. - Honda Aircraft Company, Inc. - a wholly-owned subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. This new aeronautical division is based at the Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina, where the company recently broke ground on a $100 million headquarters and HondaJet production facility. Another subsidiary - Honda Aero, Inc. - was established in October, 2004 and is responsible for Honda’s aeronautical engine business. On October 12, 2004, Honda and General Electric Co. (GE) announced the establishment of a new joint venture; GE Honda Aero Engines LLC. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio the group is tasked with certification, marketing activities, and mass-production of small jet engines in the 1,000 to 3,500-pound thrust class. Honda Aero, Inc. holds a 50 percent share of GE Honda Aero Engines LLC.

On July 17, 2007, Honda Aero, Inc. announced that it will establish its new corporate headquarters and a state-of-the-art jet engine manufacturing plant in Burlington, North Carolina. The new facility will produce HF120 engine which has been jointly developed by Honda and GE, based on Honda’s original HF118 engine that powers HondaJet prototype.

Seeking Aircraft Professionals
Honda Aircraft Company and Honda Aero, Inc. are looking for experienced aviation industry professionals with a passion for light business jets and exciting, challenging work. They advise Avjobs Weekly that qualified individuals who are interested in improving aviation, society, the environment and themselves should submit their credentials for review. Specifically, they are currently hiring design and test engineers with a strong background in aircraft certification. The company will begin accepting applications for production and manufacturing positions later this year or early 2008. For additional information, visit the official Honda careers website.

We also invite you to view this week’s streaming video report, which includes an interview with Honda’s Stephen Keeney at EAA AirVenture. He talks about the HondaJet and the company’s plans to hire engineering and production staff in the not-too-distant future.