MRJ Successfully Completes First Flight

News provided by

Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

Nov 11, 2015, 10:01 ET

First flight of the Mitsubishi Regional Jet

The Mitsubishi MRJ90 test aircraft made its historic first test flight on November 11, 2015 in Nagoya, Japan. The MRJ is a next generation design that emphasizes efficiency and passenger comfort, setting a new standard for regional jets.

The MRJ design incorporates superior technology and passenger comfort. Engineered to achieve the lowest operational cost and lowest environmental impact. Better for passengers, the environment and airlines, the MRJ will change the way you fly.

Class-leading height and width contribute to the bright and airy surroundings. Slim-seat design increases legroom without compromising comfort while the widest economy-class seats and larger overhead bins complete the package for a big-jet feel.

The MRJ's overhead bins can accommodate the maximum-sized carry-on bags currently allowed by airlines

NAGOYA, Japan, Nov. 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) today conducted the first flight of the first flight-test airplane for the MRJ (Mitsubishi Regional Jet), their next-generation regional jet. The first flight was viewed around the world on the MRJ website, www.flythemrj.com.

Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7688051-mitsubishi-aircraft-mrj/

The MRJ took off from Nagoya Airport and confirmed its basic characteristics and functionality in ascent, descent and turning in airspace off the Pacific coast during its 1.5-hour first flight.

"The MRJ successfully took to the sky today thanks to ongoing cooperation and support from all members involved," said Hiromichi Morimoto, President, Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation. "We will make our utmost efforts towards type certificate acquisition, committing all our resources to develop and produce the finest regional jet aircraft to enter commercial service in 2017."

"Operational performance of the MRJ exceeded expectations. We had a significantly comfortable flight," said Pilot Yasumura, who served as captain.

Mitsubishi Aircraft and MHI will continue to conduct flight tests for the first delivery scheduled for the second quarter of 2017. The flight tests in the US are scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2016, from the MRJ base at Grant County International Airport at Moses Lake in Washington State.

Video of the takeoff and landing of the MRJ test airplane, and well as full video of the flight can be seen at www.flythemrj.com.

Going forward, Mitsubishi Aircraft and MHI continue to devote their collective resources towards the successful completion of the MRJ project.

Exclusive photos of the MRJ first flight can be viewed and downloaded at the link below.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/470g9eer5j0gpg8/AAAUQ4AhSBXdasXJma5TP-xia?dl=0

SOURCE Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.