Honda Aircraft Hondajet Elite vs Piper M500
The HondaJet Elite and Piper M500 sit in different aircraft categories and are built for different mission profiles. The HondaJet Elite is a very light jet, optimized for higher cruise speeds and jet-style operations, making it a strong fit for business travel where time and altitude matter. The Piper M500 is a pressurized, single‑engine turboprop, generally favored for operational flexibility, simpler systems relative to jets, and the ability to operate efficiently across a wide variety of regional missions. On range, both are designed for typical point‑to‑point trips in the general 1,000–1,500 nautical mile class depending on load, reserves, and conditions. In practice, the HondaJet Elite often emphasizes faster trips, while the M500 often emphasizes efficient cruise and useful range with strong short-to-medium haul capability. For passenger capacity, both typically seat a similar number of occupants in real-world use, commonly around five to six passengers plus a pilot, with exact seating and comfort depending on the interior configuration and baggage needs.
| Spec | Honda Aircraft HondaJet Elite | Piper M500 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 2.73 | $ 3.11 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 |
| Manufacturer | Honda Aircraft | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | HondaJet Elite | M500 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1495 | 1000 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.68 | $ 0.78 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 6 | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3432 | 1698 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,135 | $ 579 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 419 | 260 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 5,400,000 | $2,122,600 |
| Flight Rules | — | IFR |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Flushing | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | — |
| Jump Seat | No | — |
| Total Seats | 6 | 5 |
| Galley Location | FWD | MID |
| Max Cabin Seats | 6 | — |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 8.8 | 5.5 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Refreshment Centre |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23060 | 12600 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 8244 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | No |
| Model | HF120-H1A | PT6A-42A |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 3600 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 10 | ISA + 55 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 2050 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 439 | 170 |
| Horsepower | — | 500 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 42.7 | 29.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 39.8 | 43.2 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | 0.4 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 12.1 | 12.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.9 | 11.3 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 10.2 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 66 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 165 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 20 |