Honda's real wing

The twin-engine business jet fulfils was developed in the USA and has a number of unusual features, including a composite fuselage and engines mounted over rather than under the wing. The company says the latter feature provides cleaner aerodynamics.

It was first shown at a USA airshow some weeks ago. "This public world debut of the HondaJet represents the continued advancement of Honda's long-standing dream of aviation," said Michimasa Fujino, HondaJet project leader and vice president of Honda R&D Americas. Motorcycle companies have long had an association with aviation with firms such as BMW, MV Agusta, Piaggio, Bombardier and Kawasaki among them.