Mitsubishi SpaceJet — News and Discussion Thread

r2rho · Fri Oct 16, 2015 12:08 pm

With 1st flight coming in a matter of weeks, and in the hope of having enough news to keep an MRJ follow-up thread alive, in similar fashion to the equivalent threads for other a/c programs, I am opening this one.

The previously announced first flight window (last week of october) has been confirmed by Mitsibishi, now that most ground tests are complete. This is good news as it means their schedule from a few weeks ago is still accurate and that they feel confident enough about the a/c to firmly announce a window. Admittedly, they have given themselves generous time for ground tests (since january this year). Furthermore, at least two flight test protoypes are already assembled, which should allow for a fast ramp-up of flight test hours from the start.

Good news for US spotters: 4 of the 5 flight test aircraft will be based in Grant County International Airport at Moses Lake in Washington, and most tests will be conducted there.

Plans call for the first flying prototype to perform envelope expansion and systems tests; the second to carry out performance and function tests; the third to evaluate detailed flight characteristics and avionics tests; the fourth to perform interior, community noise and icing tests; and the fifth to assess autopilot function.

Regarding series production, the FAL in Nagoya is planned to ramp up to 10 per month eventually.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/artic ... ne-417824/

http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-ne... ... rj-program

Rainmaker · Tue Oct 20, 2015 6:44 pm

Out of curiosity, are the flight test frames being shipped to WA in one piece or in parts for later reassembly in site? Wither way it sounds like a costly flight test programme to me.

On a side note, the article mentioned that Mitsubishi Heavy would assume responsibility of assembling production engines in Japan. I suppose it can either be related to launch aid by the Japanese government or reluctance from PW to take on the MRJ risk, just don´t know which is more likely. Either is troubling for different reasons: the former for WTO complaints and the latter on the a/c prospects from PW.

mwh787 · Tue Oct 20, 2015 7:57 pm

Good Luck for the MRJ looking forward to seeing them in the skies above MWH !!

Quoting Rainmaker (Reply 1):
Out of curiosity, are the flight test frames being shipped to WA in one piece or in parts for later reassembly in site?

I've wondered the same. They could be ferried up through they Aleutian islands. But these are test aircraft not sure if they could get the approvals to fly through several airports to get here. They have build a hanger here, not sure if it is equipped for large assembly operations. I'm sure we will soon learn haw they will arrive.

sirtoby · Wed Oct 21, 2015 8:08 am

Quoting Rainmaker (Reply 1):
Out of curiosity, are the flight test frames being shipped to WA in one piece or in parts for later reassembly in site? Wither way it sounds like a costly flight test programme to me.

The first two A/C are complete with engines, the third is complete w/o engines and the fourth will get it's wings soon. So they will be flown to WA.

r2rho · Wed Oct 21, 2015 10:44 am

Quoting Rainmaker (Reply 1):
Out of curiosity, are the flight test frames being shipped to WA in one piece or in parts for later reassembly in site? Wither way it sounds like a costly flight test programme to me.

Assembly is happening in Nagoya; I would assume they would be ferried to WA. How long it will take Mitsubishi to feel confident enough to send them on such a long ferry, I don't know. I would assume they will stay in Nagoya for the initial phases like flight envelope opening etc, before moving onwards.

It is interesting though, that Mitsubishi is tapping into existing flight test expertise in Seattle, rather than doing it all themselves, by setting up an engineering center with local engineers (plus some of its own).

KarelXWB · Wed Oct 21, 2015 1:41 pm

Small update:

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/art...-tests-before-first-flight-417888/

Quote:
Mitsubishi Aircraft has disclosed that two pilots with military experience will be piloting the MRJ regional jet on its first flight next week.

And:

Quote:
It adds that low speed taxiing tests started in June, but that it still needs to conduct medium speed taxi tests at 100 knots (185km/h) and high speed taxi tests at 120 knots, before the aircraft is able to take its first flight.

[Edited 2015-10-21 06:41:50]

KarelXWB · Fri Oct 23, 2015 7:54 am

And delayed:

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/art...t-pushed-back-by-two-weeks-418132/

Quote:
Mitsubishi Aircraft has announced a two-week delay to the MRJ regional jet's first flight, citing issues with the aircraft’s steering pedal.

ordell · Fri Oct 23, 2015 9:38 pm

A problem like that shouldn't pop up this late in development, should it?

r2rho · Mon Oct 26, 2015 12:55 pm

Quoting KarelXWB (Reply 6):
Mitsubishi Aircraft has announced a two-week delay to the MRJ regional jet's first flight, citing issues with the aircraft’s steering pedal.

A bit ackward / embarassing, that only shortly after reaffirming the first flight window, which would imply 100% confidence, this happens. But it's still better to communicate transparently than to stick to unachievable dates. Looking forward to first flight.

KarelXWB · Thu Oct 29, 2015 8:51 am

First flight is now scheduled to take place during the week of November 9.

http://twitter.com/ReutersAero/status/659612651018915840

KarelXWB · Thu Oct 29, 2015 9:59 am

Flight permission has now been approved by the Japanese government:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articl...ubishi-regional-jet-s-first-flight

mats01776 · Thu Oct 29, 2015 11:19 am

High-speed taxi/braking test on Oct 23, 2015:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7rdB5lvizI

Rainmaker · Thu Oct 29, 2015 8:21 pm

It must be hard to secure enough airspace clearance out of Nagoya for the long programme of test flights, I suppose.

Hence the need to ferry the a/c to the US as soon as they are able to.

It´s such a cool airplane!

viasa · Fri Oct 30, 2015 10:41 am

Quoting mats01776 (Reply 11):
High-speed taxi/braking test on Oct 23, 2015:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7rdB5lvizI

Hi-Speed? But you could clearly see, the first time they use the breaks (0:26).

mats01776 · Sat Nov 07, 2015 3:08 am

Hi-speed testing at over 200Km/h was conducted on Nov. 6, 2015:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8RsWRa7XUc

ordell · Sat Nov 07, 2015 7:14 am

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/mrj-progresses-towards-first-flight-next-week-418707/

Mitsubishi Aircraft says it has simulated various scenarios on its engineering flight simulator in preparation for the MRJ regional jet’s maiden sortie, and that results thus far have proved promising.

In an interview with Flightglobal, Mitsubishi’s vice-president and general manager of sales and marketing Yugo Fukuhara, says the manufacturer has simulated “normal and abnormal scenarios” from take-off to landing, and that the tests have not identified any issues.

Fukuhara adds that the first flight test aircraft (FTA 1) is now undergoing the final stage of high-speed taxi tests, upon receiving approval from Japan’s transport ministry last week to take its first flight.

ordell · Sat Nov 07, 2015 7:25 am

Quoting Mats01776 (Reply 14):
Hi-speed testing at over 200Km/h was conducted on Nov. 6, 2015:

Such a tease, I thought she was going to take off for a moment.

Did anyone recognize the yellow plane she cruised past at the 1:44 mark?

Quoting r2rho (Reply 4):

It is interesting though, that Mitsubishi is tapping into existing flight test expertise in Seattle, rather than doing it all themselves, by setting up an engineering center with local engineers (plus some of its own).

Mitsubishi is a major supplier to Boeing and on friendly terms. It has said it will not build bigger planes than the MRJ so as not to compete with the 737. And with all the flight expertise at Boeing, it's easier to ship a few planes and pilots to Washington than bring a whole bunch of Boeing engineers to Japan.

[Edited 2015-11-06 23:29:07]

rbavfan · Sat Nov 07, 2015 9:37 am

Did anyone notice when she braked, that there was a puff of tire smoke. Should not have done that with anti lock brakes when main tire never left the ground.

[Edited 2015-11-07 01:37:45]

FlyHossD · Sat Nov 07, 2015 3:18 pm

Quoting ordell (Reply 16):
Did anyone recognize the yellow plane she cruised past at the 1:44 mark?

FDA is Fuji Dream Airlines; they have a small fleet of EMB-170s/175s:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuji_Dream_Airlines

KarelXWB · Mon Nov 09, 2015 8:48 am

Quoting Mats01776 (Reply 14):
Hi-speed testing at over 200Km/h was conducted on Nov. 6, 2015:

Nice, it really wants to fly.

r2rho · Mon Nov 09, 2015 12:51 pm

Quoting ordell (Reply 16):
And with all the flight expertise at Boeing, it's easier to ship a few planes and pilots to Washington than bring a whole bunch of Boeing engineers to Japan.

They are not using Boeing engineers, they are partnering with a company called Aerotec and setting up a JV. It is of course highly likely that Aerotec does flight test work for Boeing as well.

ordell · Mon Nov 09, 2015 7:10 pm

There was quite a crowd gathered to watch this test. Look along the fence as she taxis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiMrAHSgHgY

KarelXWB · Tue Nov 10, 2015 10:15 am

First flight now set for November 11 (tomorrow).

http://www.mrj-japan.com/j/notices/notices_151110.html

mats01776 · Wed Nov 11, 2015 12:54 am

The MRJ test aircraft just took off from Nagoya Airport:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J55N5rDSL48

It is unknown if any welcome drink was served prior to takeoff.

[Edited 2015-11-10 18:04:55]

mats01776 · Wed Nov 11, 2015 2:31 am

...and a safe landing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbtkziiCxF4

Congrats!

[Edited 2015-11-10 18:49:12]

ordell · Wed Nov 11, 2015 2:45 am

She did it! I can't wait till they retract the wheels.

NAGOYA —

Japan’s first domestic passenger jet successfully took off and landed on its maiden test flight Wednesday, culminating a decade of development for a program aimed at competing with Brazilian and Canadian rivals in the global market for smaller aircraft.

The Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ)—developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries—lifted off from the runway at Nagoya airport at 9:35 a.m. and returned at 11 a.m.

The approximately 35-meter-long two-engine aircraft flew smoothly upward into clear skies in central Japan, said AFP journalists at the scene.

The plane marks a new chapter for Japan’s aviation sector, which last built a commercial airliner in 1962—the YS-11 turboprop that was discontinued about a decade later.

The MRJ will seat about 80 passengers and is seen competing with other regional passenger jet manufacturers such as Brazil’s Embraer and Canada’s Bombardier.

Firms in Japan were banned from developing aircraft by US occupiers following its defeat in World War II.

Mitsubishi Heavy, a military contractor, built Japan’s legendary “Zero” World War II fighter jet.

The developer boasts that the MRJ, a fuel-efficient, next-generation aircraft, will offer more passenger comfort with lower operating costs, eyeing the booming regional jet sector.

[Edited 2015-11-10 18:50:22]

mayor · Wed Nov 11, 2015 4:04 am

Does Skywest still have the order for MRJs?

ordell · Wed Nov 11, 2015 5:18 am

Yep, 100 planes.

Ground level video by someone who was there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUwjyWBUC-w

KarelXWB · Wed Nov 11, 2015 8:50 am

Looking good....

http://twitter.com/RAeSTimR/status/664361964827598849

Pohakuloa · Wed Nov 11, 2015 9:26 am

Great to see an aircraft do what she was meant to do for the first time. Smiles all around!

trent1000 · Wed Nov 11, 2015 10:13 am

Report of the maiden flight took up the first 6 minutes of the main, NHK 7 p.m. news.
The test pilot said he could see Mt Fuji during the flight and the sight of the beautiful mountain moved him to tears ...

The aircraft flew for a total of 1 hr 27 min, mainly in an area south from Tokyo reserved for military use.
The news report claimed the MRJ is 20% more fuel efficient than other planes of similar size in comparison to those made by Embraer and Bombardier. First commercial delivery expected in 2017.

LHRlocal · Wed Nov 11, 2015 10:13 am

Congratulations to all involved!
That is a beautiful aircraft and i wish her much success.
Hope to see some in the sky's of Europe soon.

LHRlocal.

KarelXWB · Wed Nov 11, 2015 10:28 am

Couple more photos:

http://twitter.com/15jkai_phase1/status/664311880052150272

That's a sharp looking airplane!

hz747300 · Wed Nov 11, 2015 10:29 am

The footage of the test flight was on the local news here in HK when I was at the gym. Then they showed what seemed to be a police chase in Texas or somewhere like that for some reason.

KarelXWB · Wed Nov 11, 2015 10:33 am

Flightglobal has a summery about what needs to be done before certification in Q2 2017:

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/art...rj-puts-dreams-into-action-418951/

mats01776 · Wed Nov 11, 2015 11:44 am

I understand that there is no luggage compartment below the floor in the MRJ.

Which makes me wonder if there is a large, underutilized space under the floor, and,
whether there is going to be a center-of-gravity issue if most of the passengers
do not choose to check the baggages in, and, instead, carry them on-board.

Paolo92 · Wed Nov 11, 2015 12:05 pm

Quoting Mats01776 (Reply 35):

From the info I found online, the area beneath the floor is used for the avionics bay (FWD) and systems (AFT). The baggage/cargo area is all located in the aft, with a dedicated cargo door behind door 2R.

I see this configuration being critical on very full flights with lots of baggage, rather than on average ones, given the aircraft configuration. On empty flights they'd probably have to restrict passenger seating to the mid cabin.

[Edited 2015-11-11 04:06:18]

Rbgso · Wed Nov 11, 2015 12:51 pm

A very slim, sleek looking airplane. Well done, and congrats. Can't wait to see her in service.

mats01776 · Wed Nov 11, 2015 2:26 pm

Quoting Paolo92 (Reply 36):
I see this configuration being critical on very full flights with lots of baggage, rather than on average ones, given the aircraft configuration.

Agreed.

Being a regional jet with short stage lengths, I can see some scenarios where
most of the passengers opt for carry-on baggages rather than checked-in ones,
resulting in nose-heavy aircraft.

I am unsure of the wisdom of placing a cargo/luggage compartment far away
from the craft's center of gravity.

ordell · Wed Nov 11, 2015 4:13 pm

That chase plane is downright fugly, especially next to the MRJ.

Did the pilot use reverse thrust on landing or just brakes? I didn't see the engine cowlings open like you would see in a reverse thrust. I did see them extend the flaps, and perhaps it was distance, but they looked tiny.

ordell · Wed Nov 11, 2015 7:05 pm

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-mrj-performance-far-better-than-expected-418957/

MRJ performance 'far better than expected'

Mitsubishi Aircraft says the operational performance of its MRJ regional jet prototype exceeded expectations during its 90-minute maiden sortie this morning.

The Japanese airframer says the basic characteristics and functionality of the aircraft in ascent, descent and turning were confirmed, during the flight in the airspace off the Pacific coast.

“Operational performance of the MRJ was far better than expected. We had a significantly comfortable flight,” says chief test pilot Yoshiyuki Yasumura, who has a 25-year flying career.

Senior executive vice president Nobuo Kishi says the flight went as planned. The aircraft, which took off at 09:35 local time from Nagoya airport, climbed to 15,000ft and reached a speed of 150kt. 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 flight.

Yasumura says the control of the aircraft was “very stable”, and that the aircraft had an excellent landing despite slightly windy conditions. The aircraft is powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1200G engines.

In a statement, Mitsubishi says flight tests in the US are scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2016, and that the manufacturer and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will devote resources to the “successful completion” of the programme. It is using five flight test aircraft and two ground test aircraft for the test campaign.

Yflyer · Wed Nov 11, 2015 7:40 pm

Quoting Mats01776 (Reply 38):
Being a regional jet with short stage lengths, I can see some scenarios where
most of the passengers opt for carry-on baggages rather than checked-in ones,
resulting in nose-heavy aircraft.

I assume the MRJ will have overhead bins that can fit a roller bag, similar to the E170. Even so I imagine there would still be some gate checked bags just due to the bins filling up, which might help a little.

Actually that brings up an interesting thought -- if your prediction is correct I wonder if we'll be seeing crews asking people to gate check their carryons for weight and balance reasons.

nitepilot79 · Wed Nov 11, 2015 11:49 pm

Don't know about performance, but they Really got this plane right as far as looks are concerned. I like it more than other recent, or recent-ish frames out there.

The MRJ people know how to design a "pointy" nose that doesn't look plain weird. And flight deck windows that don't look like they came from an '80s spoof. Looking at you 787/A350

. Anyway, just my opinion. Whatever floats your boat...

What about a corporate configuration. Any orders so far? Too lazy too look it up, so if some one knows just off the top of their head. Don't go to any trouble

. I'll "de-lazify" eventually...

ordell · Thu Nov 12, 2015 5:03 am

So does anyone know when the second flight will be?

ordell · Thu Sep 29, 2016 9:30 pm

So now that FTA-1 is in Moses Lake, time to revive this thread instead of using the other one about the challenge of getting here?

mats01776 · Fri Sep 30, 2016 7:49 pm

Nikkei reports that the first delivery will be pushed back again.
http://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Compani ... back-again

October 1, 2016 2:00 am JST
Mitsubishi jet delivery pushed back again

NAGOYA -- Initial delivery of Mitsubishi Aircraft's regional passenger plane will be postponed beyond the current target of mid-2018 owing to design changes, it was learned Friday.
The unit of Tokyo-based Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has notified partners of the delay. The first Mitsubishi Regional Jet is now likely to be handed off to buyer ANA Holdings in 2019 or later.
...
More test aircraft have since been added to move development along. Volume production has begun as well. But Mitsubishi Aircraft has taken another look at the MRJ's design to rebalance the aircraft after apparently repositioning certain components. The changes apparently rule out mid-2018 delivery. The delay is not expected to affect ANA's flight plans.

ordell · Fri Oct 07, 2016 5:38 am

In a newsletter issued Oct. 5, Mitsubishi revealed its third test aircraft (JA24MJ) performed its first flight Sept. 25.

ordell · Fri Oct 07, 2016 8:01 am

Can't edit my post or I would. Here is the rollout of FTA-3.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkG6eE3hjfI

ordell · Tue Oct 11, 2016 7:11 pm

Actually there's a little confusion. JA24MJ is the fourth plane. It uses the red/gold/black swoosh livery as FTA-1 in Moses Lake. Plane 22 has a solid red stripe and 23 has a solid black stripe.

ordell · Tue Oct 18, 2016 4:44 am

Looks like flight testing has begun. She was all over Washington today.

https://www.flightradar24.com/data/airc ... j/#b56fb00

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