September, 2000 - Honda rents space to do jet research, by Sharon Donovan

Honda R&D Americas, the U.S. research and development arm of Honda Motor Co., has confirmed that it will lease hangar and office space from Greensboro, N.C.-based Atlantic Aero (Booth No. 4614) to develop a small business jet.

Although neither the terms nor the length of the lease of 25,000 sq. ft of hangar space and 6,000 sq. ft. of office space were disclosed, Atlantic Aero president Don Godwin said that the venture will enable Honda to research the concept--with no plans for manufacturing. Atlantic Aero, which has a 28-acre facility at the Piedmont Triad International Airport, will provide some engineering support to Honda's efforts, said Jeffrey Smith, Honda's spokesman. Honda has already hired two people to work at its site, but Smith declined to detail how many scientists and engineers would eventually be assigned to the facility.

"It's a tremendous opportunity for us-­it gives us the ability to learn more about new technologies and to apply them to aviation today," said Godwin, who added that the venture was about two years in development. Godwin said the FBO is one of the more unusual in the country. While many aviation companies emphasize refueling, storing and maintaining airplanes, Atlantic Aero is "developing uniqueness in our business," he said. For example, he continued, the FBO's designated alteration station is only the seventh in the southern region that has been approved by the FAA.

Once they begin the business jet research project in about a week, the Honda and Atlantic Aero engineers will be studying such areas as lightweight materials and machining technology, Smith said. Honda has already demonstrated its interest in "new areas of mobility" and its reputation for building lightweight vehicles that are both strong and safe, Smith said.

Honda's aviation research dates back to 1933 to 1996 when the company worked with scientists at Mississippi State University to develop a small composite jet. A prototype jet was built and the project ended. The company also developed and tested flights of an HFX turbine engine in 1995. It is continuing its research of turbofan engines in Japan.

Honda has at least six research and development centers throughout the country. The range of projects varies from robotics to intelligent community vehicle systems­-"All are purely R&D efforts," Smith said.

Atlantic Aero is an aerospace engineering services company, a parts fabrication company and a FAA repair station (#EWGR752D). Atlantic Aero holds numerous Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs), Parts Manufacturer Approvals (PMAs) and a certification as an FAA Designated Alteration Station (DAS-511128-CE). Atlantic Aero is also certified with the European Aviation Safety Agency EASA.145.4179.