Honda to build new jet in North Carolina(Honda goes into aviation)

Reuters ^ | 02/10/07

[TigerLikesRooster]

Saturday February 10, 6:08 AM

Honda to build new jet in North Carolina

WILMINGTON, North Carolina, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Honda Aircraft Co. Inc. will build its new light jet, the HondaJet, at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina, Gov. Michael Easley's office said on Friday. The Honda Motor Co. Ltd. subsidiary will invest up to $100 million over the next five years to build an aircraft manufacturing plant and expand the Greensboro operation it established in August to oversee production, certification, sales and service of the aircraft, Easley said.

He described the HondaJet as a lightweight private business jet with unique construction that makes it more fuel-efficient and less costly to operate than similar aircraft on the market. Honda said it planned to begin delivery of the aircraft in 2010.

North Carolina agreed to give Honda Aircraft up to $6.68 million in tax benefits over the next 12 years. The company employs 50 workers at its Greensboro headquarters and plans to add 283 more to design and build the plane, at an average annual salary of around $70,000 a year, which is almost double the local average, the governor said.

[TigerLikesRooster]

So what's next for Honda if this new airplane business works out? Maybe fuel-efficient mini space shuttle?

[TigerLikesRooster]

Ping!

[TigerLikesRooster]

Owner operator configuration

Taxi Shuttle Configuration

[neverhillorat]

Somehow, a Honda for Nancy P.seems to fit.

[zarf]

Ford is entering the fray utilizing the latest in highly regarded American auto technology.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Ping!

[kerryusama04]

Will it be electric start or pull cord?

[vox humana]

Ford is entering the fray utilizing the latest in highly regarded American auto technology.

LOL

I understand Ford lost $12.7 billion last year when flight tests of that model proved unsuccessful.

[1rudeboy]

For your list.

[sushiman]

Man oh man has Honda come a long way since the early 70's with their matchbox on wheels Civic or whatever it was they called it ...We are on our third straight Honda ( since 1995 ) , and with the exception of a minor rattle or two no problemos ( sic ) . Go !

[DTogo]

The company employs 50 workers at its Greensboro headquarters and plans to add 283 more to design and build the plane, at an average annual salary of around $70,000 a year, which is almost double the local average, the governor said.

Despite this, how long before the Unions and DNC show up to p#ss and moan?

Japan * ping * (kono risuto ni hairitai ka detai wo shirasete kudasai : let me know if you want on or off this list)

[RunningWolf]

Well that is a novel place to put the engines, looks like it is well engineered though, and might work quite well.

[Lockbar]

This was actually a Ford product back in the 1920's - 30's. I even had a short flight in one of these when I was 9 years old.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Look, there is even room for her to hang in the closet.Upside down of course.

[RunningWolf]

Wow look at the wing on that thing!

You know, it is really amazing how much they got out of those air-frames with such little engine on them.

Take the B17 for instance, 50kbs gross weight on 4 1300hp engines.

[AmericanInTokyo]

They know up, up scale and higher end American business travelers have in increasing numbers come to the end of their patience with that whole reprehensible scence: American airports, American security and their employees at airports, and US airlines and their employees and their wholly crappy attitude both at the gate and onboard--and so the shift is on to private business jet travel within the US to escape normal commercial aircraft and terminals.

Whether busy business person or not, who really wants to be shouted at every time one goes to the airport for example, by low level security nothings who have an attitude problem against passengers and treat them like common criminals, barking disrespectful orders and humiliating even 90 year old grandmothers with body checks rather than profiling. Not to mention delayed flights, lost baggage (and assorted irresponsibilility/lack of customer service), crappy in-flight service with a decrepit sandwich tossed at you "which you have the privilege of purchasing for $5"), and flight attendents who couldnt give a rats ass about you as a paying CUSTOMER, let alone as a fellow human being.

Go Honda and GO Private Business Jet Industry!!!!

[Dave Elias]

Ford made pretty good airplanes, the Tri-motor and the B24.

[Cobra64]

Will it be electric start or pull cord?

People said the same thing about Honda cars 35 years ago.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #16

Sounds like you would be one of their first customers.:-)

[azhenfud]

Yeah - note the amount of trim being employed.