Mitsubishi Aircraft and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (
www.mhi-global.com) announced last month that they have extended the development schedule of the MRJ regional jet by another year, following their recognition of “several issues” during the course of engineering work with experts in the USA.
As a result, the expected first delivery — to Japan’s All Nippon Airways — has shifted to the second quarter of 2018, which is nearly five years later than the original target date (set at programme launch in 2008).
The announcement comes a month and a half after the first MRJ made its maiden flight from Nagoya Airport in Japan (it then flew at least two more times in November).
The last programme schedule called for certification in the second quarter of 2017. In April, the companies announced a delay from spring 2017 to September or October, due to the need to review the structural strength of the ram air turbine and address certain software bugs.
In the last week of October, a problem with the rudder pedal forced the first flight to be rescheduled for the week of 9 November. The MRJ finally took to the air on 11 November.
In a statement, the companies said: “The first flight and the subsequent flight tests have confirmed the basic characteristics to be satisfactory. However, we also have recognised several issues as we attempt to accelerate our development. These have been reflected in the new delivery schedule. In addition, we have undertaken an overall review with our partners, and reflected this in our development schedule.”
The companies added they would carry out the planned flight test campaign in North America “as soon as feasible.” Mitsubishi Aircraft has so far received 407 orders (including options and purchase rights) for its two types of MRJ jets, which seat from 78 to 92 passengers. Customers include SkyWest Inc and Trans States Airlines Inc.