The FAA has certified Emergency Autoland (EAL) for US-registered HondaJet Elite II aircraft, which Honda Aircraft Company noted made the aircraft the first production model twin-turbine very light business jet certified to equip the feature. Honda Aircraft Company is pursuing certification of EAL in other international markets.
The Honda Aircraft Company video above demonstrates the Emergency Autoland system on the HondaJet Elite II.
The system is designed to enable the aircraft to land autonomously in an emergency situation where a pilot becomes incapacitated.
The EAL system can be activated by pushing a button or through automated monitoring systems that detect pilot unresponsiveness. When active, the system automatically transmits an emergency code and conducts radio calls to alert air traffic control.
Honda Aircraft Company shared that the EAL-equipped aircraft autonomously evaluates weather, terrain, fuel and runway dimensions to select the optimal diversion airport, configures the aircraft for landing, navigates along the approach path, lands the aircraft and applies the brakes to a full stop on the runway.
Certification flight testing for EAL was completed in October 2025. The HondaJet Elite II equipped Autothrottle – a key technology related to the EAL system – in October 2024.
Hideto Yamasaki, president and CEO of Honda Aircraft Company, said: “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.”
