Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Honda Aircraft is introducing its certified pre-owned (CPO) program to support buyers and sellers of its light business jet in Asia. The company has delivered just over 250 HondaJets from its headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina, including 23 in Asia.
According to Honda, it carefully selects aircraft for CPO approval, requiring that they be maintained to the manufacturer’s specific criteria in authorized facilities. The HondaJet fleet has logged more than 210,000 flight hours with a dispatch reliability of 99.7 percent.
“Aircraft must pass a thorough pre-purchase inspection covering more than 208 points on the aircraft and have no damage history or repair memos,” Honda Aircraft’s chief commercial officer and senior v-p Amod Kelkar told AIN. The company recently has expanded its network of authorized service providers in Southeast Asia with the addition of KarbonMRO, Forth Corporation, and WingsOverAsia.
In 2023, HondaJet flight activity in Asia increased by 20 percent, with customers based in Japan and Thailand accounting for 95 percent of the total. “The demand is from business, personal, and charter uses of the aircraft,” Kelkar said. “Additionally, purchasers of light jets may be looking to lessen their impact on the environment while also enjoying the benefits of private air travel.”
Since its introduction in 2015, the HondaJet has undergone a series of updates, boosting the original range of about 1,200 nm to the latest Elite II’s 1,547 nm. While cruising at a speed of 422 knots and a maximum altitude of FL430, it can accommodate up to eight passengers. An example of the current HA-420 model is on display at the Singapore Airshow.
Honda now is working on the larger and longer-range HondaJet Echelon model it aims to bring to market in 2028. It will retain the original aircraft’s distinctive over-the-wing engine mount, which made the cabin quieter and created space for an enclosed lavatory in the aft section of the cabin, as well as reducing drag. The company’s engineering team expects to complete the design review this summer as they prepare to roll out the aircraft and start flight testing in 2026.
The Echelon will be somewhat larger than the current Elite II model, with a fuselage that is 4.5 inches taller and 1 inch wider to allow more space for up to 11 passengers. Customers will have a choice of executive, dual club, or divan cabin interiors, each offering 5.5 inches more room at shoulder height and 7 inches at the bottom of the seats.
A pair of Williams International FJ44-4C turbofans will power the new HondaJet, in place of the current model's GE Honda Aero HF120 engines. The Williams powerplant will support a range of up to 2,625 nm with a single pilot and four passengers on board, along with speeds of up to 450 knots at a maximum altitude of FL470. The flight deck will feature the same Garmin G3000 avionics suite.
The Echelon resembles the original HondaJet enough to be certified under an amendment to the original FAA Part 23 type certificate. According to the manufacturer, it will be 20 percent more efficient on typical missions compared with light business jets and 40 percent more efficient than midsize jets.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Asian Buyers Now Have Access to Certified Pre-owned HondaJets

The light jets undergo rigorous maintenance and inspection to give customers peace of mind

Honda Aircraft is close to completing the design of its new Echelon private jet, which will offer more space and range than the current HA-420 HondaJet.

Asian Buyers Gain Access to Certified Pre-owned HondaJets

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

We talk through the process from conception to delivery

Flying Privately: How Aircraft Like the Bombardier Global 8000 Come to Life

Hanneke Weitering

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

AltiSky will assemble, sell, and service VoltAero's aircraft

VoltAero Picks U.S. Distributor for Cassio Hybrid-electric Aircraft 

Jennifer Leach English

Company noncommittal on expanding its lineup upwards, citing $1B investment cost

Embraer’s Plans for a Larger Bizjet Remain Up in the Air

Kerry Lynch

Operations ebbed, backlogs were steady, and available aircraft increased

GJC: Bizjet Market Continues To Stabilize in 3Q2024

Greenville-based charter operator pre-orders 10 eVTOL air taxis

SAI Flight To Operate SkyDrive eVTOL in South Carolina

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Singapore Airshow 2024

In this article

HondaJet HA-420 Series

GE Honda Aero Engines

More In Aircraft

Flying Privately: How Aircraft Like the Bombardier Global 8000 Come to Life

We talk through the process from conception to delivery

VoltAero Picks U.S. Distributor for Cassio Hybrid-electric Aircraft

AltiSky will assemble, sell, and service VoltAero's aircraft

Embraer’s Plans for a Larger Bizjet Remain Up in the Air

Company noncommittal on expanding its lineup upwards, citing $1B investment cost

GJC: Bizjet Market Continues To Stabilize in 3Q2024

Operations ebbed, backlogs were steady, and available aircraft increased

SAI Flight To Operate SkyDrive eVTOL in South Carolina

Greenville-based charter operator pre-orders 10 eVTOL air taxis

AMSL Starts Untethered Flight Tests with Vertiia eVTOL Aircraft

Australian start-up is developing a hydrogen-powered aircraft

Deliveries Increase as EHang Works to Boost eVTOL Aircraft Performance

Chinese manufacturing wants to extend range with solid-state batteries

NBAA Expands Roles for Two Senior Executives

Jo Damato and Andrew Broom assume additional responsibilities

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN