Jetrader - Winter 2017 - 35

Hitoshi "Hank" Iwasa, head of the Moses Lake Flight Test Center.

that are allowed to be operated by commuter airlines on contracts
with the majors. Both the MRJ90 and the E2-175 exceed the MTOW
limit of 86,000 lb.
The first MRJ flight test vehicle (FTV1) arrived in Moses Lake on
28 September, 2016, and the last (FTV4) arrived 31 March of this
year. MFC's test fleet currently consists of four FTVs, registered
JA21MJ to JA24MJ. Each FTV has its own manager, and these all
interact with the various disciplines like flight ops, instrumentation
and maintenance, and each FTV is focused on specific tests as well.
During our visit to the MFC, JA23MJ, in blue ANA livery, as well
as JA21MJ, in the traditional Japanese black, gold and red of
the MRJ livery, were engaged in active test programs. JA21MJ is
equipped with water ballast tanks, a trailing cone, flutter exciters,
tail skid, electrical load banks and video cameras, and is used for
functional checks, envelope expansion, field performance tests,
and stability and control testing. JA23MJ is only equipped with
water ballast tanks and accelerometers as it is mainly testing
avionics, autopilot performance, vibration and the secondary
systems. JA22MJ was in the hangar undergoing some hardware
checks after an un-commanded engine shutdown on 21 August near
Portland, Oregon. At the time of our visit, JA24MJ was engaged
in a hot-weather test flying out of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport
in Mesa, Arizona.
It is a fact that new airplane programs often suffer significant
delays. The Boeing Dreamliner and Airbus A380 are well-known
examples, but even the re-engined A320neo deliveries are running behind because of engine problems. Unfortunately, the
MRJ is no exception, and the program is falling well behind
the original schedule, which should hardly be a surprise given
that the Japanese industry is a relative newcomer to the world
of the commercial jet OEMs. The good thing is that MRJ has
always been relatively open about the delays, explaining to the
industry the reasons why and the intended actions to solve the
issues. The recent engine issue apparently will not cause any
more delays, and the current planning is for the MRJ to enter
service in 2020 with All Nippon Airways.
MHI is doing everything possible to reach that target, and the
four test vehicles are all very busy in close coordination with
the three test centers. MFC in Moses Lake serves in the role of
liaison engineering, including flight test operations, telemetry
data, troubleshooting and quick design changes. The Seattle
Engineering Centre (SEC) is engaged in test evaluation support,
including test planning, analysis, reporting and certification
support. The Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation's HQ in Japan is

Traditional Japanese elements in the MRJ test livery.

engaged in design engineering and certification, including
overall management, analysis, safety, validation and verification, as well as the communication with JCAB. Apart from Moses
Lake, actual testing takes place in Crested Butte, Colorado,
(high altitude operations), Roswell, New Mexico, (special runway
tests) and the McKinley Climatic Laboratory in Florida (extreme
environment testing).
We greatly appreciate an OEM opening the doors of its test
center and allowing Jetrader readers a look behind the scenes -
even being allowed to take some pictures as the two FTVs took
off and landed. While the market will eventually decide about the
commercial success of the MRJ, one thing is certain: Mitsubishi
Aircraft has produced one of the best-looking jets in the industry.
Many thanks to MITSUBISHI AIRCRAFT CORPORATION and the MCF
team for their kind hospitality and friendly cooperation

Extending the Life Cycle

BUY * SELL * LEASE
For more than a decade, Magellan Aviation Group has
been dedicated to keeping your aircraft in flight by ensuring
our warehouses are stocked and ready to satisfy your
requirements. More than solely a parts supplier, we are
active purchasers of both regional and commercial aircraft
engines. For a full range of our expertise, please visit our
website: www.magellangroup.net
US +1.704+504.9204
salesusa@magellangroup.net
EU +353.61.474800
sales@magellangroup.net
APAC +65.6220.7877
asiarfqs@magellangroup.net

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2017 35
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Jetrader - Winter 2017

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