This article is based on an official press release from Honda Aircraft Company.

HondaJet Elite II Secures FAA Certification for Emergency Autoland System

Honda Aircraft Company has officially received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification for its Emergency Autoland system on the HondaJet Elite II. According to the company’s announcement, this milestone establishes the Elite II as the first twin-turbine very light jet (VLJ) in production to offer a fully autonomous landing capability designed to save lives in the event of pilot incapacitation.

The certification marks a significant advancement in safety technology for the twin-engine sector. While autonomous landing systems have previously been certified on single-engine turboprops and jets, the HondaJet Elite II is the first aircraft in its specific category, twin-turbine VLJ, to standardize this technology. The system functions as a fail-safe mechanism, capable of landing the aircraft without any human intervention if the pilot becomes unresponsive.

This achievement follows the certification of the aircraft’s Autothrottle system in October 2024, a necessary precursor that allows the flight computer to manage engine thrust during descent and landing. With FAA approval now complete for United States-registered aircraft, Honda Aircraft Company has stated it is pursuing validation from international regulatory bodies to make the feature available globally.

How the Emergency Autoland System Works

Integrated into the HondaJet’s Garmin G3000 avionics suite, the Emergency Autoland system is designed to activate in worst-case scenarios. According to technical details released by the manufacturer, the system can be engaged in two ways: manually by a passenger pressing a guarded button, or automatically if the system detects no pilot activity for a set duration.

Once activated, the autonomous flight director takes full control of the aircraft. The sequence of events, as described in the system’s specifications, includes:

• Stabilization: The aircraft immediately levels its wings and assesses weather, terrain, and fuel status.
• Airport Selection: The computer identifies the optimal nearby airport based on runway length and suitability.
• Communication: The system broadcasts automated voice and data messages to Air Traffic Control (ATC) to declare an emergency.
• Approach and Landing: The aircraft navigates to the runway, executes a precision approach, brakes to a complete stop, and shuts down the engines to allow safe exit.

In a statement regarding the certification, Honda Aircraft Company leadership emphasized the customer-centric focus of this development.

“Adding Emergency Autoland to the HondaJet Elite II demonstrates our commitment to delivering new value to our customers. I’m proud that our team is fulfilling on this promise by offering Emergency Autoland and giving our HondaJet Elite II customers greater peace of mind during every flight.”

Hideto Yamasaki, President & CEO, Honda Aircraft Company

Market Context and Competitive Landscape

The certification of Emergency Autoland on the Elite II closes a technological gap between single-engine owner-flown aircraft and twin-engine business jets. Previously, systems like Garmin’s Autoland were primarily associated with single-engine platforms such as the Cirrus Vision Jet and the Piper M600/SLS. By implementing this on a twin-engine jet, Honda Aircraft Company addresses a critical safety concern for owner-operators who prefer the redundancy of two engines but often fly single-pilot.

AirPro News Analysis

We view this certification as a pivotal moment for the “step-up” market. Historically, pilots moving from high-performance single-engine aircraft to twin-engine jets had to sacrifice the autonomous safety nets available on newer turboprops. The HondaJet Elite II now eliminates that trade-off. This move will likely pressure other manufacturers in the light and mid-size jet categories to accelerate the integration of autonomous recovery systems, eventually making “return-to-base” capability a standard expectation rather than a luxury option.

Aircraft Specifications

The HondaJet Elite II combines this new safety utility with established performance metrics. Based on manufacturer data and industry specifications, the aircraft features:

• Engines: Two GE Honda HF120 Turbofans
• Max Range: 1,547 nautical miles (with 4 occupants)
• Max Cruise Speed: 422 KTAS
• Avionics: Garmin G3000 integrated flight deck
• Configuration: Typically 1 Pilot + 6 Passengers

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the system available on older HondaJet models?
The Emergency Autoland system is certified specifically for the HondaJet Elite II. While the manufacturer has confirmed it for this model, availability for older variants (such as the original Elite or classic HondaJet) generally depends on avionics hardware compatibility, and no broad retrofit program for non-Elite II models was detailed in this specific announcement.

Can the system be overridden?
Yes. According to standard Garmin Autoland protocols used in these implementations, a pilot can typically disengage the system and resume manual control by pressing the autopilot disconnect button or taking other specific actions, provided they are conscious and able to do so.

When will it be available outside the US?
The current certification applies to the FAA (United States). Honda Aircraft Company has indicated that validation with other agencies, such as EASA (Europe) and Transport Canada, is actively being pursued.

Sources

• Honda Aircraft Company

This article summarizes reporting by Bloomberg and journalist Avril Hong. The original report is paywalled; this article summarizes publicly available elements and public remarks.

Gulfstream Targets 160 Deliveries in 2026 Amidst Strong Demand and Geopolitical Headwinds

Gulfstream Aerospace has officially set a target to deliver 160 business jets in 2026, signaling a strategy of stability and modest growth following a strong performance in 2025. The projection was confirmed by Scott Neal, Gulfstream’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales, during an interview with Bloomberg at the Singapore Airshow 2026.

The announcement comes as the manufacturer capitalizes on the certification of its next-generation flagship models, the G700 and G800, while navigating a complex trade dispute between the United States and Canada that threatens to impact North American deliveries.

Production Targets and Financial Performance

According to the interview conducted by Bloomberg, the goal of 160 aircraft represents a steady continuation of the company’s recent trajectory. This target aligns with data from General Dynamics, Gulfstream’s parent company, which reported 158 deliveries in 2025, a significant increase from the 136 units delivered in 2024.

General Dynamics has characterized the 2026 outlook as “flat with a little upside,” a phrasing that suggests a deliberate focus on supply chain reliability rather than aggressive volume expansion. Financial-Results from January 2026 indicate that the Aerospace division generated $13.1 billion in revenue in 2025 and projects approximately $13.6 billion for the current year.

Market Demand Indicators

Demand for large-cabin business jets remains robust. General Dynamics reported a book-to-bill ratio of 1.4x for 2025, meaning the company received nearly one and a half new orders for every jet delivered. This backlog provides a strong buffer against potential economic volatility.

Fleet Updates: The G700 and G800 Era

The 2026 delivery goals are heavily supported by Gulfstream’s newest ultra-long-range jets. The G700, which features the industry’s largest cabin, received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification in March 2024 and has become a primary revenue driver.

Additionally, the G800, designed to replace the G650ER with an 8,000-nautical-mile range, achieved type certification from both the FAA and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in April 2025. These certifications allow Gulfstream to fulfill its substantial order book for these models across major global markets.

Geopolitical Challenges: The US-Canada Dispute

While the Asia-Pacific market remains a focus at the Singapore Airshow, Gulfstream faces a significant regulatory hurdle in North America. According to industry reporting by FlightGlobal and Aviation International News, a diplomatic dispute has arisen regarding the certification of Gulfstream jets in Canada.

Transport Canada has declined to certify the G700 and G800, citing requirements for additional cold-weather fuel system testing. While the FAA granted Gulfstream a three-year exemption to complete this testing while continuing deliveries, Canadian regulators have refused to accept this waiver.

The situation escalated in January 2026, when U.S. President Donald Trump threatened trade retaliation against Canadian-built aircraft if the “blockade” on Gulfstream products continued. This standoff introduces uncertainty for Canadian customers and highlights the vulnerability of aerospace manufacturing to broader trade tensions.

AirPro News Analysis

Stability Over Surge: Gulfstream’s target of 160 jets, only two more than the previous year, indicates a mature approach to manufacturing. Rather than chasing record-breaking delivery numbers that could strain a recovering supply chain, the company appears focused on margin expansion and production efficiency. By keeping targets realistic, Gulfstream mitigates the risk of the “traveling work” phenomenon, where unfinished jets pile up awaiting parts, a problem that plagued the industry in previous years.

The Asia-Pacific Pivot: The choice to highlight these targets at the Singapore Airshow is strategic. With the North American market facing temporary friction due to the Canadian certification dispute, the Asia-Pacific region offers a critical alternative for high-value deliveries of the G700 and G800.

Sources

Sources: Bloomberg, General Dynamics Investor Relations, FlightGlobal

This article is based on an official press release from Cirrus Aircraft and technical specifications released by the manufacturer.

Cirrus Unveils G3 Vision Jet: 7-Seat Configuration and Avionics Overhaul

On February 3, 2026, Cirrus Aircraft officially unveiled the G3 Vision Jet, the third generation of the world’s first single-engine personal jet. According to the company’s announcement, the G3 introduces a suite of upgrades focused on pilot connectivity, performance efficiency, and cabin versatility. The most significant change for the owner-pilot market is a new seating configuration capable of accommodating up to seven passengers, a direct response to customer feedback regarding cabin utility.

Deliveries for the new model are reportedly underway, with a fully equipped price point of approximately $3.68 million. The G3 builds upon the G2+ platform, retaining the Williams International FJ33-5A engine while utilizing aerodynamic and software refinements to extract greater performance and comfort.

Reimagined Cabin and Seating

The headline feature of the G3 Vision Jet is the expansion of its passenger capacity. While previous generations (G1 through G2+) were limited to five adults and two children, the G3 introduces an optional bench seat for the third row. This new configuration allows for six adults and one child, significantly altering the utility profile of the aircraft.

The Seventh Seat

According to Cirrus Aircraft, the new third-row bench is designed to accommodate two adults and a child (or smaller individual) in the center position. This replaces the previous child-only jump seats, offering owners more flexibility for family transport or business travel. To facilitate access to these rear seats, the pilot and co-pilot seats now feature a “one-handed” release handle that allows them to slide fully aft, simplifying entry and exit through the main cabin door. Additionally, the middle-row seats are now removable via a single lever mechanism.

Ergonomic Refinements

Beyond capacity, Cirrus has addressed specific ergonomic complaints from previous models. Most notably, the engineering team redesigned the honeycomb structure beneath the seats to eliminate a specific noise issue known among owners as “the Cirrus Crinkle.”

“We tightened up that honeycomb so we don’t have that crinkle anymore,” said Matt Bergwall, Executive Director of the Vision Jet Product Line, regarding the noise reduction improvements.

The interior also features new hardshell seatbacks wrapped in Alcantara, along with updated amenities such as dedicated personal device mounts, USB-C charging ports throughout the cabin, and new tray tables.

Avionics and Connectivity Upgrades

The G3 incorporates significant updates to the Cirrus Perspective Touch+ flight deck, which is based on the Garmin G3000 system. These updates focus on reducing pilot workload and increasing situational awareness, particularly during ground operations and complex arrival procedures.

Key avionics features include:

• ATC Datalink (CPDLC): The integration of Controller Pilot Data Link Communications allows pilots to receive air traffic control clearances and frequency changes via text message. This system is designed to reduce radio congestion and the likelihood of transcription errors.
• 3D SafeTaxi & Taxiway Routing: This feature provides visual overlays of taxiways and hold-short lines directly on the flight displays, aiding navigation at complex airports.
• Alerts-Linked Checklists: In the event of a system alert (CAS message), the relevant checklist now automatically populates on the screen, streamlining the pilot’s response to abnormal events.

Performance and Exterior Enhancements

While the core powerplant remains the Williams International FJ33-5A, producing approximately 1,846 lbs of thrust, the G3 achieves performance gains through software and aerodynamic optimization. The aircraft now boasts a maximum cruise speed of 317 KTAS (Knots True Airspeed), a slight increase over the G2+.

According to the manufacturer, this speed increase is largely due to an increased Maximum Mach Operating (MMO) capability in cooler temperatures. Matt Bergwall noted that previous models were often “Mach-limited” in high-altitude, cool conditions, hitting their speed limit before reaching their power limit. The G3 unlocks up to 7 knots of additional speed in these specific environments.

Additional specifications include:

• Range: Approximately 1,275 nautical miles.
• Takeoff Distance: Approximately 2,036 feet (rolling).
• Max Operating Altitude: 31,000 feet (FL310).

Externally, the G3 is distinguishable by its new Spectra Wingtip Lighting. These LED wingtip and landing lights are rated as 2.7 times brighter than those on the previous model, intended to improve visibility and ramp presence. The aircraft also features new livery options and Arrivée trim levels.

Safety Systems

The G3 retains the signature safety systems that have defined the Vision Jet program. Standard equipment includes the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS), a whole-airframe parachute designed to lower the aircraft to the ground in catastrophic emergencies.

Also standard is the Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland system. Activated by a button in the cabin, this system allows the jet to autonomously communicate with ATC, navigate to the nearest suitable airport, land, and shut down the engine in the event of pilot incapacitation.

“The G3 Vision Jet is a testament to our relentless innovation… [for] our owners who want to travel efficiently with award-winning safety features,” stated Zean Nielsen, CEO of Cirrus Aircraft.

AirPro News Analysis

The introduction of the G3 Vision Jet marks a subtle but critical shift in Cirrus Aircraft’s market positioning. By expanding the seating capacity to seven (specifically allowing for more adults), Cirrus is directly addressing one of the few competitive disadvantages the Vision Jet held against high-performance single-engine turboprops like the Daher TBM or Pilatus PC-12.

While the Vision Jet has always offered the allure of jet propulsion and the safety net of a parachute, previous models were often viewed as “2+2” or “4+2” machines in practical use. The G3’s ability to legally and physically accommodate a larger mix of adults and children moves it closer to a true family hauler. Furthermore, the integration of CPDLC brings the Vision Jet’s avionics suite in line with larger business jets, reinforcing the “personal jet” narrative not just as a marketing term, but as a technological reality.

Sources: Cirrus Aircraft