MRJ FTA-2 being prepared to join programme, while first test aircraft undergoes modification

Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation provided (21-Apr-2016) an update on the flight tests for the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ)

• Since mid-Mar-2016, flight tests have been conducted on successive days when weather conditions permit. The tests are providing in-flight confirmation under actual flying conditions of the performance of various safety characteristics and emergency systems and procedures. These include flying with only one engine, mid-air shut-down and restart of engine and auxiliary power system and functional check of emergency power generation system;
• On 31-Mar-2016, a low-elevation flight was conducted over the runway at Noto Airport. This flight made it possible to acquire data to correct and correlate onboard instrumentation by taking measurements both from the ground and in the aircraft, then comparing the two data sets;
• Having completed the first phase of flight testing according to plan, FTA-1 began planned modifications lasting from 13-Apr-2016 through mid-May-2016, in which it is being fitted with instrumentation needed for upcoming tests;
• FTA-2 is now undergoing engine testing, moving forward with taxiing tests in May-2016, followed by flight tests. [more - original PR]