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From cavernous buildings cleaner than most people's kitchen floors, Honda is almost ready to launch its aviation venture.

Company executives show no fear in the face of a recession of historic proportions.

More than a year before the first HondaJet is manufactured, Honda Aircraft Co. said Friday that its buildings, business and work force are all bigger than expected two years ago when it made the commitment to come to Piedmont Triad International Airport.

"For almost 10 years, we have been conducting research here in Greensboro," said Michimasa Fujino, Honda Aircraft's chief executive officer.

"The result is an aircraft that truly sets a new standard in business aviation," he told a group of media and local economic development leaders Friday.

Honda opened its new World R&D Center on Ballinger Road for the tour Friday before it begins to move engineers and other workers from its current buildings on the west side of PTI.

After the move, which begins Monday, Honda will guard the buildings' secret research with tight security.

"You are the first group of people," said Stephen Keeney, senior manager for corporate affairs, "but very likely the last group as well."

In the future, the only people who will enter the building are workers and the company's elite customers.

Even before the plane is certified by the Federal Aviation Administration, Fujino said:

l Honda's local employment will reach 600 in 2010, 250 more than the company initially planned.

l Its R&D building, initially designed at 150,000 square feet, was revised to 190,000 square feet for additional research.

l Its 250,000-square-foot production building is being designed and will be under construction later this summer.

l The company had initially planned to build 70 jets a year, but now expects to build 100 using just one shift a day.

In addition, company officials hinted that Honda is considering a second, larger jet if this one succeeds.

Company executive David Wentz, manager of information systems, infrastructure and facilities, showed the group a large-weight scale that could be expanded to handle a bigger jet.

"We've planned for the future," he said, "and I'll leave that for your minds and your imagination."

Honda calls the distinctive HondaJet an advanced light jet, compact with well-laid-out interior space. Its interior holds four people, a fifth in a jump seat if necessary, and two crew members in a conservative, clean design.

The exterior features jet engines that are mounted above the wings. It can fly at nearly 500 mph at 43,000 feet.

The HondaJet sells for

$3.9 million, affordable in the world of private jets. More than 100 orders have come in so far, company officials have said.

Buyers from everywhere in the world will take delivery in this building.

The first delivery, expected at the end of 2010, can't happen until the FAA fully approves the plane and its technology. Honda's primary focus now is assembling planes for those tests.

Financial woes at Honda Motor, Honda Aircraft's parent corporation, will have no effect on the jet operations, Keeney said. Honda Motor has predicted that it will lose $3.7 billion in the next quarter.

"From the earliest days of our company, aviation has been one of our central dreams," Fujino said.

Keeney, standing in front of a HondaJet that rotates on a stainless-steel turntable, could not have chosen a more convincing backdrop.

"Aviation has long been a dream for our company, and this is our pinnacle technology," he said. "It's full speed ahead."

Contact Richard M. Barron at 373-7371 or richard.barron@news-record.com