The MRJ regional jet has completed its maiden sortie, having touched down after a flight around Nagoya airspace that lasted approximately 87 minutes.
Flight test aircraft (FTA)1 took off from Nagoya airfield at 09:35 on 11 November, in clear weather with light winds. It touched down at 11:02 at the same airport, and came to a stop about five minutes later.
Hundreds of media witnessed the take-off and landing, which was also broadcast live on some Japanese television channels and streamed online. The MRJ is Japan’s first commercial passenger aircraft in 50 years, since the NAMC YS-11 turboprop developed in the 1960s.
Mitsubishi will hold a press conference later in the day, where information on how the aircraft performed during first flight will be disclosed.
Mitsubishi
FTA 1, painted in the manufacturer’s red, black and gold livery, flew with its landing gear and flaps in a fixed position and its thrust reverser system unengaged during the maiden flight. The aircraft is powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1200G engines.
Mitsubishi
Chief test pilot Yoshiyuki Yasumura was one of two pilots on board during the first flight. Mitsubishi has not released more information on the pilots, but previously told Flightglobal that both have military experience.
Mitsubishi is using five flight test aircraft for the flight campaign, which is expected to cover 2,500 hours of testing.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
