Aircraft
Mitsubishi Regional Jet Makes First Flight
The MRJ completed a 90-minutes maiden flight from Mitsubishi's base at Nagoya Airport in Japan.
Mitsubishi will step up flight testing of the MRJ as it aims to achieve service entry in the second quarter of 2017. [Photo: Mitsubishi]
Mitsubishi will step up flight testing of the MRJ as it aims to achieve service entry in the second quarter of 2017. [Photo: Mitsubishi]

The Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) made its long-awaited first flight today, taking off from the Japanese manufacturer’s Nagoya Airport base at around 9.30 a.m. local time. According to a statement from Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation and its parent company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the new narrowbody safely conducted a 90-minute flight off Japan’s Pacific Coast during which it “confirmed its basic characteristics and functionality in ascent, descent and turning.”