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Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation Receives Type Inspection Authorization

Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation
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Program milestone begins final phase of Type Certification for Japan’s first commercial jet

Nagoya, December 21, 2018 -

Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation announced today that it has received Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) from the Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) for the company’s Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) program.

This authorization allows Mitsubishi Aircraft to begin certification flight tests for its MRJ 90, the industry’s only clean sheet design, regional jet and the first commercial jet from Japan. The MRJ program currently has a fleet of flight test aircraft at its flight test center in Moses Lake, Washington, USA, and expects to begin certification flight testing early in 2019.

“Throughout our program we have worked very closely with the JCAB to develop a well-defined set of processes, procedures and expectations that will take us to the type certification of our MRJ90.” said Hisakazu Mizutani, Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation President. “It has been a long, but necessary journey for the development of our MRJ program and for the commercial aviation industry in Japan.”

According to Andrew Telesca, Head of Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation’s Certification Management Office, because of the unique situation of the commercial aviation industry in Japan, the path to receive this authorization has been unlike any other in the world.

“With little precedence for a program of this type in Japan the teams have worked together tirelessly to establish a flight test compliance system from the ground up. I am proud of the substantial efforts made by the JCAB and MITAC teams to achieve this critical milestone. While much work remains to reach Type Certification, we’re excited to have completed a key demonstration of the safety and maturity of the MRJ program and look forward to working closely with the JCAB during this critical final program phase,” explains Telesca.

Telesca also mentioned that the program is undergoing a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety review to support the FAA’s Letter of Authorization, which he expects prior to the start of certification flight testing.

About Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation

Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation commenced operation on April 1, 2008 to conduct the development, production, sales and customer support of the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ). The MRJ is a family of 70- to 90- seat next-generation regional jet which will offer both top-class operational economy and outstanding cabin comfort. As of December 7 2018, Mitsubishi Aircraft is capitalized at 270 billion yen, with financing furnished by, among others, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Toyota Motor Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation, Sumitomo Corporation and Mitsui & Co., Ltd.


About MHI Group

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world’s leading industrial groups, spanning energy, smart infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on spectra.mhi.com.