HondaJet engine nearly ready

Engine assembly has begun on the GE Honda Aero Engines’ first HF120 jet engine that will be used for FAA certification testing. It will be used on the HondaJet. It will be operated at the end of the summer and begin certification testing that will continue into 2010.

In all, 13 HF120 development engines will take part in the certification testing at seven locations spread around the United States and Japan. By the time testing is completed, the engine will have completed more than 15,000 cycles of ground and flight testing.

HF120 engine production will initially begin in GE’s plant in Lynn, Mass., and will later transition to Honda Aero’s recently completed engine production and overhaul facility in Burlington, N.C.