This is going to be BIG - (Ripsnort look away !)

[AKIron]

Big plane, how many passengers? Nice big fat tempting target for terrorists. Better hope we get this terrorist problem eliminated before that beast starts flying.

[MarkVZ]

The first HondaJet was developed and built here at Mississippi State University and first flew in 1993.  Nice to see that they've kept up with the project.    

HondaJet

[OIO]

wasnt that one of the planes that attacked godzilla?

[Dowding]

Actually Grunherz, you'll find that Airbus has actually started making payments to the governments that helped set it up. Do you really believe a company could have been set up to compete directly against Boeing without some major wonga? Airbus has been very useful in securing aerospace jobs across Europe. I'd say it was a good investment and has already delivered returns, financially and socially.

[jigsaw]

Safire also stepping up to the personal jet plate...

Safire Files For Type Certificate
 Safire Aircraft Company, based in Opa Locka, Fla., has filed a Type Certificate application with the FAA for the Safire Jet, the company said last week. The step marks the first phase of the jet's certification process, said CEO Camilo Salomon, as well as a significant milestone in the aircraft's development process. Major assemblies and components will begin arriving in the spring, Salomon said, to start assembly of the first prototype. The six-place, twin-turbofan-powered Safire Jet, priced at $1.395 million, is scheduled to make its first flight this year, with deliveries beginning in 2006. The company plans to build two flying prototypes, one static test "article" and one fatigue test "article." The flight test/certification program will continue into 2006.

http://www.safireaircraft.com/