MRJ starts flight tests in the US

Nagoya, Japan – The MRJ (Mitsubishi Regional Jet) first flight test aircraft (FTA-1) carried out flight tests in the U.S. for the first time on Oct. 17, 2016.

FTA-1, which arrived at Moses Lake in Washington State on Sept. 28, 2016, took off from Grant County International Airport shortly after 1:00 pm PST and confirmed its flight envelope and functionality of the onboard systems in airspace near Moses Lake during the 3.5-hour flight. 

On Oct. 6, 2016, Mitsubishi Aircraft won the “Company of the Year Award” for its contribution to employment and economy in the state at a summit held by Aerospace Futures Alliance, an aerospace industry association in Washington State. At the ceremony attended by Mitsubishi Aircraft President Hiromichi Morimoto, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee commented favorably, expressing high expectations for the MRJ from the state.

Source: Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp.