HondaJet Elite II Emergency Autoland Wins FAA Approval
Honda Aircraft Company has secured Federal Aviation Administration certification for Emergency Autoland on the HondaJet Elite II, making it the first production twin-turbine very light business jet approved to equip the autonomous landing system.
The certification allows the HondaJet Elite II to offer Emergency Autoland (EAL) to U.S.-based owners and operators, with the company pursuing approvals from aviation regulators in additional international markets. The system is designed to enhance safety by enabling the aircraft to land autonomously if the pilot becomes incapacitated.
“Adding Emergency Autoland to the HondaJet Elite II demonstrates our commitment to delivering new value to our customers,” said Honda Aircraft Company President and CEO Hideto Yamasaki. “We are proud to offer this capability and provide our customers with greater peace of mind during every flight.”
The Emergency Autoland system can be activated manually by pressing a dedicated button in the cockpit or automatically if onboard monitoring systems detect pilot unresponsiveness. Once engaged, the aircraft transmits an emergency squawk code and sends radio messages to alert air traffic control.
Using integrated avionics and flight management systems, the EAL-equipped HondaJet can evaluate weather conditions, terrain, fuel levels and runway requirements to identify the most suitable diversion airport. The system then navigates to the selected airport, configures the aircraft for approach, completes the landing and brings the jet to a full stop on the runway.
The FAA certification follows extensive flight testing, which concluded in October 2025. The HondaJet Elite II had previously achieved another milestone in October 2024 by becoming the first twin-turbine very light jet to offer Autothrottle, a key enabling technology for Emergency Autoland functionality.
Honda Aircraft Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., is headquartered in North Carolina and oversees the research, development, production and global support of the HondaJet family. In 2024, cumulative HondaJet deliveries surpassed 250 aircraft worldwide.
The addition of FAA-certified Emergency Autoland positions the HondaJet Elite II at the forefront of safety innovation in the very light jet segment, as manufacturers increasingly integrate automation to enhance operational resilience and passenger protection.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, aerospacemanufacturinganddesign.com