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Honda's first jet takes to the skies

Tokyo - Honda's first business jet has logged its maiden flight ahead of its expected certification and delivery next year, says the Japanese company.

The 84-minute flight of the first production HondaJet took place near the world headquarters of Honda Aircraft, the aviation subsidiary of the automobile giant, in Greensboro in the US state of North Carolina.

"With this first flight, the HondaJet programme has entered the next exciting phase as we prepare for delivery," Honda Aircraft president and CEO Michimasa Fujino said.

Cruise speed

"The celebration is the culmination of extensive engineering and production efforts and this is an important achievement in bringing the world's most advanced light jet to the market."

The HondaJet is currently offered for sale in North America and Europe through the HondaJet dealer network.

The plane, which seats up to five passengers in a standard configuration, flies at a maximum cruise speed of 777km/h and has a maximum altitude of 13 106m.

More than 100 orders from businesses and affluent customers have been received for the aircraft, which will be sold at $4.m.


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