Honda Jet Corporate Flight Term Paper

Honda Corporate Jet Department

Departmental Analysis: Honda Corporate Jet Department

Background of Honda Aviation Department

The department of Honda Jet bears its beginnings in Honda Aviation. The journey to the aviation industry began when engineer Michimasa Fujino, initiated the vision in 1986 of Honda's participation in research and development in advanced airborne Honda (Honda, 2012). Close to four decades later, the vision is almost a realization as Honda Jet is now in its developmental and implementation stage. Therefore, Honda Jet is an apprehension of a decade long dreams that inspired innovation in aircraft design. The main aim of the development of Honda jet is the need for a light jet that is more efficient, advanced, and elegant (Business Wire, 2012). Through experiments, research, and exploration, Honda engineers now see the Honda Jet come to realization in the next year. The company's research and development team, along with engineers for the aviation industry are working on a corporate jet innovation. This innovation is an integration of technologically advanced aircraft design.

Honda Corporate Jet Development

The department of Honda Jet is in Northern Carolina, Greensboro, built in 2006. The local government made a contribution of $1.4 million in incentives in 2006 to assist Honda develop its Jet project. In addition, Honda Jet received 70 acres of land at the Piedmont Triad International Airport to start the project. Further, 30 acres were available for the expansion of the project (Business Wire, 2012). By the end of 2007, Honda Jet project had completed the first buildings at the airport, marking the first phase of the project. However, actual production of the corporate jets began in October of 2012. The department is mainly a research and development mainly dealing with the development of executive jets. The department's research and development functions are innovation, efficiency, performance, quality, comfort, and specifications. Innovations at the department also entail the development of engines mounted over the wings; part of a 20-year project. The innovation promises to reduce the level of noise, increase fuel efficiency, and increase cabin space. The second innovation entails the use of natural laminar flow in its main wing airfoil and the fuselage nose to reduce aerodynamic drag (Honda, 2012).The advantage of this innovation is that it promises to increase in speed by providing high cruise speeds while reducing fuel consumption. The third innovation strategy is the use of lightweight carbon fiber composite that is stronger and lighter than the traditional aluminum material (Business Wire, 2012). In addition, the fuselage is from a combination of honeycomb sand co-cured materials in a sandwich structure. The cockpit is an advancement over regular corporate jets as it uses a Garmin G3000 all glass avionics touch screen technology (Business Wire, 2012). The cockpit has dual touch screen capabilities with 14-inch high-resolution displays for better navigation, control, and flight planning.

Honda Jet also has a team of engineers working on its efficiency by using less fuel and by lesser emissions of hydrogen dioxide. The need for environmental conservation and protection is the drive behind increased efficiency. This is also with the mounting of engines on wings to reduce the level of noise emitted. Efficiency also makes up Honda Jet's environmental and corporate social responsibility. The department is making an assurance to care for the environment for posterity reasons through the "Blue Skies for our Children" initiative (Honda, 2012). It is also responsible for sustainability insights in the department, in cost and fuel efficiency.

In addition, the Honda Jet department is responsible for the creation of comfort in Honda aircrafts. The building of the cabin in the corporate jet is on the classic club configuration for four executives with an optional side for the fifth seat. The cabin is to offer more space and legroom for executives for freedom of movement. The desire of Honda Jet cabin is to have executive jets with ample working space, relaxation, and quiet place, with executive fully functional lavatory.

To achieve quality and innovation, the Honda Jet headquarters in Greensboro, has a large investment in its projects. The department has an operational and advanced manufacturing facility. This is the main facility for Honda's global research and development center run by many associates and engineers….....