One of the HondaJets prepares for takeoff at EAA Airventure in Oshkosh – Photo: Mal Muir | AirlineReporter.com

An unusual-looking business jet made an appearance at OshKosh 2013 and was followed in by a second identical aircraft.  What were these unfamiliar aircraft?  They were the third and fifth FAA-conforming HA-420 HondaJets, appearing for the first time together.

A uniquely-designed aircraft, the HondaJet will enter the small business jet market once the final rounds of FAA certification and testing are completed, estimated in 2014.  Designed to carry six people (1 or 2 crew, along with 4 or 5 passengers), this small, light jet is a mixture of cutting-edge design, state-of-the-art technology, and a few new concepts to make it an expected class-leading aircraft.

The two examples flown to AirVenture were frame numbers 3 & 5, of a 6 aircraft-test fleet.  Frame number 3, which joined the test program in 2011, is being used for mechanical systems testing, while aircraft number 5 has the first production-fitted interior and should anchor the final tests.  Seeing the two aircraft side-by-side at Oshkosh on the very first day attracted quite a large crowd – including me.