The Mitsubishi Regional Jet, the first Japanese commercial aircraft program for more than 40 years, underwent its first test flight in November 2015. The aircraft took off from Nagoya Airport and flew for around 90 minutes before landing.
2-Engines
Credit: Mitsubishi Aircraft
The MRJ will be powered by the Pratt & Whitney PW1200G engine. The geared turbofan was given type certification by the U.S. regulator the FAA in May 2017.
3-Production
Credit: Mitsubishi Aircraft
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will perform final assembly, outfitting and painting at a site adjacent to Nagoya Airport. The aircraft’s PW1200G engine will also undergo final assembly at its Komaki-based engine subsidiary MHI Aero Engines. It will also use parent company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ shipyard and machinery works in Kobe to manufacture parts for the aircraft’s wings, before being sent to the Tobishima-based facility of Nagoya Aerospace Systems for fabrication.
4-Orders
Credit: Mitsubishi Aircraft
Eight airlines hold commitments for the MRJ90 variants to date. The largest order is from North American customer SkyWest Airlines, which has 100 MRJ90 orders and a further 100 commitments. In May 2017, it was speculated that Iran’s modernization of its aircraft fleet could also lead to the country looking at the MRJ as a potential option. The livery of Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways was painted onto the fifth MRJ test aircraft at this year’s Paris Air Show.
5-Aftermarket
Credit: Mitsubishi Aircraft
In July 2016, Mitsubishi Aircraft signed up three MRO providers to join the MRJ program’s fledgling aftermarket network. Letters of intent were signed with Pemco and HAECO Americas in the United States, and with ANA-subsidiary MRO Japan in its home country. Mitsubishi Aircraft said that it expects to name further MRO participants as the MRJ programme progresses.
6-Aborted Test Flights In August 2016
Credit: Mitsubishi Aircraft
The MRJ program endured a further setback in summer 2016 when two test flights were aborted related to a problematic air conditioning system. In a statement, the MRJ’s parent firm Mitsubishi Heavy Industries confirmed the air management system on the first flight stopped automatically after experiencing a problem with the monitoring function.
7-Further Issues Arise One Year Later
Credit: Mitsubishi Aircraft
More challenges arose in August 2017 when a PW1200G engine powering an MRJ aircraft carrying out a test flight near Oregon.
8-Entry Into Service
Credit: Mitsubishi Aircraft
In its lifespan, the projected entry-into-service date has changed several times following issues related to the aircraft. Having originally targeted a 2013 entry-into-service upon launching in 2008, the aircraft is now scheduled to begin commercial operation by 2020.
As Aviation Week's MRO Editor EMEA, James Pozzi covers the latest industry news from the European region and beyond. He also writes in-depth features on the commercial aftermarket for Inside MRO.
