Honda Aircraft’s first production HondaJet made its first flight last week, from the company’s headquarters in Greensboro, N.C. Taking off at 10:18 a.m. on June 27, the HondaJet, with test pilot Warren Gould at the controls, flew for 84 minutes and reached 15,500 feet and 348 ktas. During the flight, checks included low- and high-speed handling characteristics, Garmin G3000 avionics functionality and operation of the landing gear, flaps and speed brakes.

More than 1,000 Honda Aircraft employees greeted the flight after it landed. Painted in a new color available to buyers–deep green pearl with a gold stripe–the jet is the first of a batch of production models that will be completed and ready for immediate delivery after FAA certification next year.

“With this first flight, the HondaJet program has entered the next exciting phase as we prepare for delivery,” said Honda Aircraft president and CEO Michimasa Fujino.

The GE Honda Aero-powered HondaJet has a maximum speed of 420 ktas and maximum altitude of 43,000 feet. NBAA IFR range is 1,180 nm, and the single-pilot jet can accommodate up to five passengers in standard configuration.