The first flight-test HondaJet Echelon is now starting to take shape at Honda Aircraft’s manufacturing facility in Greensboro, North Carolina. It has begun assembly of the light jet’s wing structure, the company reported late yesterday.

First flight of the midsize aircraft is expected next year, with service entry scheduled for 2028. Formally unveiled at NBAA-BACE 2023, the twinjet will feature a larger cabin with increased passenger capacity and range over the HondaJet HA-420, though they share the same over-the-wing-engine-mount configuration. Specifications of the HA-480 Echelon include a 450-knot top speed, 2,625-nm NBAA IFR range, and seating for up to 10 passengers.

Honda Aircraft’s production department began to stand up specialized assembly lines for the Echelon early last year, with the tooling in place before year-end. “With work on the first major subassembly of the HondaJet Echelon underway, the program has entered its next development phase,” the company said, referring to test article production.

Last month, Honda Aircraft marked the completion of the HondaJet Echelon development simulator at its advanced systems integration test facility (ASITF) in Greensboro. This simulator uses data from wind tunnel models and actual aircraft hardware to predict aircraft performance in operational conditions, allowing engineers to evaluate key aircraft systems before the first flight of the Echelon.

“We are very excited to see the HondaJet Echelon program gaining momentum,” said Honda Aircraft senior v-p and chief commercial officer Amod Kelkar. “We are proud of the achievements we have made in the last several months, and it is just the beginning.

“We have a series of additional targets to hit in the coming months, each of which will bring us closer to the actual first flight next year. Market interest in the HondaJet Echelon grows, with almost 500 letters of intent signed to date, and numbers increasing every month.”