GREENSBORO, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HondaJet Designer, Michimasa Fujino, was presented the 2012 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Aircraft Design Award. Fujino is president and CEO of Honda Aircraft Company, Greensboro, N.C., which produces and sells the HondaJet, an advanced light jet aircraft that delivers class-leading performance, fuel efficiency, comfort and quality. The AIAA Aircraft Design Award is considered the most prestigious recognition for aircraft designers in the world.
Fujino received the award on Sept. 18 at a luncheon held as part of the 12th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration and Operations (ATIO) Conference and the 14th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Conference, running Sept. 17 – 19 at the Hyatt Regency, Indianapolis, Ind.
The AIAA Aircraft Design Award honors a design engineer or team for the conception, definition or development of an original concept, or career contributions leading to significant advancement in aircraft design or design technology. According to the AIAA, Fujino is being recognized for “pioneering the unique optimum Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration that reduces wave drag and increases drag divergence Mach number. This unique Over-The-Wing Engine Mount configuration significantly increases cruise efficiency and, at the same time, maximizes cabin space without increasing the size of the aircraft.” During development of the HondaJet, Fujino published several technical papers on theoretical design methods and experimental results to prove this unique design concept. He also contributed to AIAA by presenting several lectures on aircraft design and development at universities and industry conferences.
Fujino said, “The AIAA aircraft design award is the highest honor, and I am honored by this recognition. I am so glad that HondaJet’s unique Over-The-Wing Engine Mount technology is acknowledged as a significant technological advancement for aircraft design. On behalf of the entire HondaJet team, I would like to express our appreciation to everyone who supports this HondaJet project as we continue our endeavor to deliver the world’s most advanced light jet.”
Past recipients of the award include Joseph Sutter for the Boeing 747, Harry Hillaker for the F-16, Burt Rutan for the Voyager, and Leland Nicolai for AGM-129/ACM.
Optimum OTWEM configuration reduces wave drag on the wings, while increasing the wing’s drag divergence Mach number, thus increasing the aircraft’s performance and fuel efficiency. Also, by eliminating the engine support structure from the fuselage, it is possible to maximize cabin and luggage space without increasing the size of the aircraft. By employing this unique technology, the HondaJet offers the best performance and comfort in its class.
Fujino added, “As a leading mobility company, Honda will continue to invest in future innovations and contribute to the evolution of advanced technologies. Our goal is to be a company that society wants to exist. The development of the HondaJet, and its innovative Over-The-Wing Engine Mount design, has been one of those revolutionary engineering processes at Honda.”
With 35,000 members, AIAA is the world’s largest technical society devoted to the progress of engineering and science in aviation, space and defense.
About HondaJet
HondaJet is the most advanced light business jet aircraft, with best-in-class advantages in performance, comfort, quality and efficiency. The HondaJet is the fastest, highest-flying, most quiet and most fuel efficient in its class. The HondaJet incorporates many technological innovations in aviation design, including a unique over-the-wing engine-mount configuration that dramatically improves performance and fuel efficiency by reducing aerodynamic drag. This airframe design reduces cabin noise and ground-detected noise when overhead and allows for a more spacious cabin and greater cargo capacity. The HondaJet is powered by two highly fuel-efficient GE Honda HF120 turbofan jet engines, and is equipped with the most advanced glass flight deck available in any light business jet, a Honda-customized Garmin® G3000 next-generation all-glass avionics system with a class-leading layout of three 14-inch landscape-format displays and dual touch-screen controllers. The HondaJet is Honda's first-ever commercial aircraft and lives up to the company's reputation for superior performance, efficiency, and value.
About Honda Aircraft Company
Honda Aircraft Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Honda Motor Company, Inc., was founded in 2006 though has its heritage in more than 20 years of ground-breaking aeronautical research and development. At Honda Aircraft’s World Headquarters campus in North Carolina, the birthplace of aviation, the company’s associates work in more than 500,000 square feet of state-of-the-art R&D, Manufacturing and Administration Headquarters buildings to develop, produce, market and support the HondaJet with HondaJet dealers. The challenging spirit upon which Mr. Soichiro Honda founded Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is still alive today as Honda Aircraft fulfills one of Honda's long-standing dreams to advance human mobility skyward.
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