The HondaJet 2600 was revealed as a new aircraft concept at NBAA-BACE. The new aircraft design concept, when launched, will carry as many as 10 passengers with a single pilot, with a range of 2,625nm.
Michimasa Fujino, HondaJet founder, and designer, indicated “we became aware of the need for a new kind of aircraft based upon a different market segment. The conditions in the business aviation industry have signaled the need for rapid cross-country travel and the ability to carry more passengers and payload. And the dire necessity of cutting carbon emissions. In response, we developed the HondaJet 2600 concept.”
The new aircraft is designed to be 20% more fuel-efficient than comparable light jets. “This concept will unlock an entire new frontier of possibilities, new destinations, and an opportunity to reduce aviation’s carbon footprint,” said Fujino.
A derivative of the HondaJet, the HondaJet 2600 incorporates the composite fuselage, laminar-flow wing, and over-wing engine mounts. The proposed aircraft is 15.2 feet longer at 57.8 feet and has a 16 ft larger wingspan of 56.7 feet than the baseline HondaJet. The MTOW will be 17,500 lbs, with a take-off distance of 3,300 feet and a maximum cruise altitude of FL470.
The cabin cross-section has changed as well, becoming more ovoid with a height of 62.5 inches, providing additional cabin headroom. The aircraft can carry 2 pilots and 9 passengers, or 1 pilot and 10 passengers in a typical configuration.
“We are featuring more electrification and automation to make the flight easier, safer, and more enjoyable,” said Fujino. A new steering augmentation system “helps the pilot to detect changes in aircraft yaw rate and provides directional assistance to nose wheel steering for increased stability and tracking. This increasing handling quality reduces pilot workload, and enhances safety”.”
An autothrottle, runway overrun awareness and alerting system, electric spoilers, steering, and brakes are also included. The Garmin G3000 avionics suite is used and the company is targeting a high degree of commonality with the base HondaJet to provide a seamless type rating transition to the HondaJet 2600.
Engines for the new aircraft have not been announced, although the relationship between Honda and GE could favor a more powerful version of the HF-120 turbofan for the new aircraft.
The price for the HondaJet 2600 is expected to be in the $10-$12 million range and would fill the market gap previously filled by LearJet in the long-range small jet market.
