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86-648: MHI first announced the concept in June 2007, then targeting certification for 2012, as the first Japanese airliner since the 1962 NAMC YS-11 . After a delayed development, the maiden flight of the MRJ90 took place on 11 November 2015. In June 2019, Mitsubishi rebranded the Mitsubishi Regional Jet ( MRJ , Japanese: 三菱リージョナルジェット ) program as the SpaceJet . As flight testing took longer than expected,

172-536: A "temporary pause" to most SpaceJet activities other than type certification documentation while it assessed a "possible program restart." However, Mitsubishi Aircraft slashed 95% of its employees in April 2021, leaving 150 employees, while the SpaceJet program budget was cut by half by 2020, from Y370 billion for FY2018, and was to be further cut to only Y20 billion ($ 194 million) from fiscal year 2021. In October 2021,

258-403: A C check is up to 6,000 man-hours. Some authorities use a type of check, known as a 3C check or Intermediate Layover (IL), which typically includes light structural maintenance, including checks for corrosion, or on specific high-load parts of the airframe. The 3C check may also be used as the opportunity for cabin upgrades, e.g. new seats, entertainment systems, carpeting. This shortens the time

344-482: A Memorandum of Understanding with an unnamed American customer for 15 of the new 76-seat SpaceJet M100 variant, to be delivered from 2024. On 5 September 2019, US regional carrier Mesa Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding for up to 100 SpaceJet M100s, 50 of which were targeted as firm orders and 50 as purchase rights. Deliveries would have begun in 2024. On 31 October 2019, Trans States Holdings cancelled its order for 100 MRJ90s (50 firm, 50 optional) because

430-469: A certificate of airworthiness (CoA). A CoA is issued for each aircraft that is properly registered if it conforms to its type design and ready for safe operation. The CoA is valid and the aircraft may be operated as long as it is maintained in accordance with the rules issued by the regulatory authority. The concept of a 'type certificate' was introduced by the "Air Navigation Regulations" published in May 1919 by

516-792: A continuous inspection program approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States, or by other airworthiness authorities such as the Transport Canada Civil Aviation Directorate (TCCA), or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Each operator prepares a Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program (CAMP) under its Operations Specifications or "OpSpecs". The CAMP includes both routine and detailed inspections. In

602-399: A delivery timeline for ordered aircraft and lack of testing were cited as their main reasons. The MRJ's future was uncertain after six years of delays, with 70% of the backlog shared by two US regional carriers bound by scope clauses : the MRJ90 is too heavy and the smaller MRJ70 accommodates seven fewer seats than the 76 permitted. Following five postponements, and having lost ten percent of

688-479: A few prototypes are built, each subject to different tests. The prototypes are first used for ground and system tests. One of the prototypes (known as the "static airframe") is subject to destructive testing, i.e., the prototype is subject to stress beyond normal and abnormal operations until destruction. The test-results are compared with initial submitted calculations to establish the ultimate structural strength. Other prototypes will undergo other systems tests until

774-401: A given amount of time in order to avoid a situation where the applicant would have to change the design as a result of changed regulation. An initial design sample known as a prototype is built. This refers to either the aircraft, the engines or the propeller, depending on the basis of the certification. For the purpose of illustration, the discussion shall be limited to the aircraft. Normally

860-516: A new variant may require re-certification. Again the basic process of type certifications is repeated (including maintenance programs). However, unaltered items from the basic design need not be retested. Normally, one or two of the original prototype fleet are remanufactured to the new proposed design. As long as the new design does not deviate too much from the original, static airframes do not need to be built. The resultant new prototypes are again subjected to flight tests. Upon successful completion of

946-427: A particular airline's fleet are either stored or scrapped upon reaching their next D check, due to the high costs involved in comparison to the aircraft's value. On average, a commercial aircraft undergoes two or three D checks before being retired. Manufacturers often underestimate the cost of the D check. Boeing underestimates the cost for four of its aircraft, and the expectation is that it has underestimated it for

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1032-740: A particular type design. ADs are used by the certifying authority to notify aircraft owners and operators of unsafe conditions and to require their correction. ADs prescribe the conditions and limitations, including inspection, repair, or alteration under which the product may continue to be operated. With increasing in-service experience, the type certificate holder may find ways to improve the original design resulting in either lower maintenance costs or increased performance. These improvements (normally involving some alterations) are suggested through service bulletins to an aircraft owners/operators as optional (and may be extra cost) items. The owner/operator shall exercise their discretion whether or not to incorporate

1118-408: A program's profitability. A type certificate (TC) is issued to signify the airworthiness of the approved design or "type" of an aircraft to be manufactured. The TC is issued by a regulatory authority, and once issued, the design cannot be changed unless at least part of the process for certification is repeated to cover the changes. The TC reflects a determination made by a regulatory authority that

1204-579: A result, development cost ballooned to 350 billion yen (US$ 3.17 billion) implying that the project might never be able to fully recover its costs. Mitsubishi originally planned to use five flight test aircraft and two ground test aircraft but one or two additional aircraft will also be needed following this introduction of a two-year delay to mid-2020. On 26 April 2017, the fifth MRJ was complete in ANA livery, lacking only engines and nose cone, aircraft number six and seven had their fuselage and wings joined without

1290-415: A suitable maintenance base. The requirements and the tremendous effort involved in this maintenance check make it by far the most expensive, with total costs for a single D check in the million-dollar range. Because of the nature and the cost of a D check, most airlines — especially those with a large fleet — have to plan D checks for their aircraft years in advance. Often, older aircraft being phased out of

1376-694: A third delay to the program, and that the first flight would take place in the second quarter of 2015 instead of end-2013, while the first delivery to launch customer ANA would take place in the second quarter of 2017 instead of 2015, due to parts delivery problems including Pratt & Whitney engines. On 7 September 2013, a prototype of the left wing and four aluminium sections (forward fuselage, front mid fuselage, aft mid fuselage and aft fuselage) were exhibited, to be assembled in October 2013. Mitsubishi hired foreign experts to help with relations with suppliers, ground tests, flight tests, and certification. Pictures of

1462-413: Is a check that more or less takes the entire airplane apart for inspection and overhaul. Even the paint may need to be completely removed for complete inspection of the fuselage metal skin. Such a check can generally take up to 50,000 man-hours, and 2 months to complete depending on the number of technicians involved. It also requires the most space of all maintenance checks, and as such must be performed at

1548-446: Is issued by the aircraft operator and approved by the regulatory authority of the state of registry to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft of the type owned by the operator. Maintenance tasks outlined in the maintenance program have to be scheduled and timely accomplished in order for the airworthiness certificate of their aircraft to remain valid. Other continuing airworthiness activities include additional tasks associated with

1634-401: Is to initiate a modification by the type design holder (manufacturer), and the other is to request a third party Supplemental type certificate (STC). The choice is determined by considering whether or not the change constitutes a new design (i.e. introduces risk not considered in the first type design). If so, then type design holder must develop and approve a modification to the type design. If

1720-417: Is usually performed in an airport hangar. The A check takes a minimum of 10 hours . The actual occurrence of this check varies by aircraft type, the flight cycle count, or the number of hours flown since the last check. The occurrence can be delayed by the airline if certain predetermined conditions are met. The B check is performed approximately every 6-8 months. It takes about 160-180 man-hours, depending on

1806-527: The B787-9 which in 2018 had not been in service for long enough to have been put through a D check. All amounts in millions of United States dollars, as of 2018. As of 2015, there are 731 foreign repair shops certified by the FAA performing critical maintenance inspections and repairs for airplanes operating in the United States. This includes repair facilities performing the "heavy maintenance", D Checks, such as

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1892-550: The Japan Civil Aviation Bureau delivered its type inspection authorisation, allowing to debut certification flight testing in early 2019 with the four MRJ90 in Moses Lake. In April 2019, a federal judge dismissed Bombardier's claims against Mitsubishi, a strong case but falling short as there was no proof that Mitsubishi knew about those secrets. By then, the program had completed 2,600 flight hours and

1978-496: The airframe could withstand 1.5 times the maximum load. In January 2017, a further two-year delay was announced, pushing the expected first delivery to mid-2020. This resulted from moving the avionics bay and wiring looms and in March the flight certification program was extended from 2,500 to 3,000 flying hours. Four of the five delays were caused, at least partly, by failures to document work for certification or similar failures. As

2064-534: The government of Japan would buy ten MRJs to serve as short-haul and small-field VIP transports, supplementing the existing Japanese Air Force One Boeing 747 aircraft. The government reportedly was still considering this option as of July 2013, with MRJs possibly supplementing the then new Boeing 777 on domestic and short-haul government flights. At the July 2012 Farnborough Airshow , SkyWest agreed to buy 100 MRJ90s, to be delivered between 2017 and 2020. The deal

2150-476: The 1.4 m shorter MRJ70: 67% of the 223 firm MRJ90 orders. However, the MRJ70 was to seat only 69 in two classes and attain the 76 seats scope close limit only in all-economy: Mitsubishi wanted to increase seating within its fuselage to compete with the currently compliant Embraer E-175 and Bombardier CRJ900 . Mitsubishi worked on a three-class, 76-seat design, with more premium seating than the MRJ70 but still within

2236-410: The 70- to 80-seat MRJ70 and 17,000 lb thrust (75.7 kN) on the 86- to 96-seat MRJ90, projecting a ¥150 billion ($ 1.275 billion) development cost. The NAMC YS-11 of the 1960s was produced at a loss. MHI officially launched the Mitsubishi Regional Jet program on March 28, 2008, with an order for 25 aircraft (15 firm, 10 optional) from All Nippon Airways , targeting a 2013 introduction. Mitsubishi

2322-575: The 86,000 lb (39 t) MTOW limit, limiting its range to a short 950 nmi (1,760 km). Compared to the E175-E2, the M100 cabin is a tighter fit around its 76 seats, and its wing is lighter, having 3.2 m (10 ft) less span and with smaller winglets than the MRJ90, giving it 50% more fuel than the E175-E2 at the MTOW limit for a 1,500 nmi (2,800 km) range with 76 passengers. Without

2408-732: The A340-600 which is based on the Airbus A340-200 and the A340-300. Any additions, omissions or alterations to the aircraft's certified layout, built-in equipment, airframe and engines, initiated by any party other than the type certificate holder, need an approved supplementary ("supplemental" in FAA terminology) type certificate, or STC. The scope of an STC can be extremely narrow or broad. It could include minor modifications to passenger cabin items or installed instruments. More substantial modifications may involve engine replacement, as in

2494-507: The Appendix H to para. 25.1529 of 14 CFR part 25 . Modern aircraft with MSG-3-derived maintenance programs employ usage parameters —such as flight hours, calendar time, or flight cycles—for each required maintenance task included in the MRBR. This allows for more flexibility in the scheduling of maintenance to minimize aircraft downtime. Airlines and airworthiness authorities casually refer to

2580-664: The Blackhawk modifications to Cessna Conquest and Beechcraft King Air turboprops , or a complete role change for the aircraft, such as converting a B-17 or Stearman into an agricultural aircraft. STCs are applied due to either the type certificate holder's refusal (frequently due to economics) or its inability to meet some owners' requirements. STCs are frequently raised for out-of-production aircraft types conversions to fit new roles. Before STCs are issued, procedures similar to type certificate changes for new variants are followed, likely including thorough flight tests. STCs belong to

2666-578: The MRJ took place at Komaki, which had previously been the development site of the Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter. In early 2013, Pratt & Whitney delayed PW1200G certification to the "latter half" of 2014. Mitsubishi announced in June 2013 that it would establish a quality control facility in Illinois for the sourcing of MRJ components from the United States. In August 2013, Mitsubishi announced

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2752-506: The MRJ's order book following the acquisition of Eastern Air Lines by Swift Air (bought existing Eastern assets only), Mitsubishi Aircraft closed its books at the end of March 2018 with a negative net worth of $ 979 million. By December 2018, the MRJ90 had 213 firm orders plus 194 commitments. During 2019, some of these orders were subsequently cancelled or converted to the new M100 variant, which had 115 commitments from US operators as of 31 October 2019. On 19 June 2019, Mitsubishi signed

2838-729: The MRJ90 took place on 11 November 2015. On 24 December, Mitsubishi announced a one-year delay for the first delivery of the MRJ, to mid-2018. The delay was attributed to insufficient wing strength and the redesign of the landing gear for better safety. Much of the flight testing for the MRJ90 took place in Moses Lake, Washington , at the Grant County International Airport , due to the crowded airspace in Japan causing scheduling difficulties. Static strength tests were completed on November 1, 2016, and confirmed that

2924-499: The STC holder and are generally more restrictive than type certificate changes. The TC holder remains responsible for the continued integrity of the approved aircraft type design and must continue to be the focal point for resolving issues that may require corrective action. This requires the continued capability, or access to a capability, of providing appropriate technical solutions for service difficulties or mandatory corrective action. If

3010-658: The UK's Secretary of State for Air , Winston Churchill . The Buhl-Verville CA-3 Airster was the first aircraft to receive a type certificate in the US, (i.e. A.T.C. No. 1) issued by the Aeronautics Branch of the Department of Commerce on March 29, 1927. Initially, the applicant design organisation submits documents to their local aviation regulating body, detailing how the proposed aircraft type design would fulfill

3096-540: The United States the FAA directs that initial aircraft maintenance requirements be generated for each aircraft type in a Maintenance Review Board Report (MRBR) based on the analysis performed as outlined in ATA "MSG-3 Operator/Manufacturer Scheduled Maintenance Development" document (MSG-3 is for Maintenance Steering Group – 3rd Task Force). The MRBR is an approved set of aircraft initial maintenance requirements as prescribed by

3182-470: The aircraft affected. It also identifies the certification basis for regulatory compliance for the design change. The TC implies that aircraft manufactured according to the approved design can be issued an airworthiness certificate . To meet those requirements the aircraft and each sub-assembly must also be approved. For example, in the U.S. these sub-assemblies must meet requirements in the applicable Technical Standards Order (TSO). To meet those requirements

3268-405: The aircraft did not comply with US airlines' scope clauses . Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era [REDACTED] Media related to Mitsubishi SpaceJet at Wikimedia Commons Type certificate A type certificate signifies the airworthiness of a particular category of aircraft, according to its manufacturing design ( type design ). Certification confirms that

3354-425: The aircraft is out of service, by performing two distinct tasks simultaneously. As component reliability has improved, some MROs now spread the workload across several C checks, or incorporate this 3C check into D checks instead. The D check, sometimes known as a "heavy maintenance visit" (HMV), is by far the most comprehensive and demanding check for an airplane. This check occurs approximately every 6-10 years. It

3440-429: The aircraft of a new type intended for serial production is in compliance with applicable airworthiness requirements established by the national air law . For up to three seats, primary category aircraft certification costs around US$ 1 million, US$ 25 million for a general aviation aircraft and hundreds of millions of dollars for a commercial aircraft ; certification delays can cost millions of dollars and can decide

3526-491: The aircraft's design envelope . In parallel with aircraft testing, the applicant firm also draws up maintenance program to support continuous airworthiness after approval of the design. The program is drawn with inputs from tests results and also from initial customers' engineering departments. The proposed maintenance program is submitted to the regulators for comment and approval. After successful completion of ground and flight tests, along with an approved maintenance program,

Mitsubishi SpaceJet - Misplaced Pages Continue

3612-434: The aircraft's wings and wingbox ; the remaining composite parts would make up 10-15% of the airframe : the empennage. The cabin height was increased by 1.5 in (4 cm) to 80.5 in (204 cm) and the fuselage height increased to 116.5 in (296 cm), giving a rounder cabin, wider and higher than its competition. The program was delayed six months with final design frozen in mid-2010, first flight delayed to

3698-403: The aircraft, and is usually completed within 1–3 days at an airport hangar. A similar occurrence schedule applies to the B check as to the A check. B checks are increasingly incorporated into successive A checks, i.e. checks A-1 through A-10 complete all the B check items. The C check is performed approximately every 20–24 months, or a specific number of actual flight hours (FH), or as defined by

3784-418: The airworthiness requirements. After investigations by the regulator, the final approval of such documents (after the required comments and amendments in order to fulfill the laws), becomes the basis of the certification. The firm follows it and draws a proposed timetable of actions required for certification tests. With the application, the regulations to be applied will usually be frozen for this application for

3870-509: The bulletins and report the decision to the regulatory authority of the state of the aircraft registry. Sometimes SBs can become mandated by relevant ADs. Often the basic design is enhanced further by the type certificate holder. Major changes beyond the authority of the service bulletins require amendments to the type certificate. For example, increasing (or decreasing) an aircraft's flight performance, range and load carrying capacity by altering its systems, fuselage, wings or engines resulting in

3956-526: The certification program, the original type certificate is amended to include the new variant (normally denoted by a new model number additional to the original type designation). Typical examples are; the Boeing 737NG (737-600, 737-700, 737-800 and 737-900) which replaced the 737 Original family (737-100 and 737-200) and the 737 Classic family (737-300, 737-400 and 737-500) and the Airbus A340-500 and

4042-532: The completed aircraft moves to painting . Seattle engineering consultants Aerotec L.L.C. saw problems for avionics and its wiring certification: damage could cause single point of failure, due to fire , water flooding from a ruptured waterline, or from part penetration of an engine explosion . This necessitated hardware changes in the bays, now frozen, but the electrical wiring interconnection system had to be reconfigured with hired specialist Latecoere . By June 2017, 940 hours of flight tests had been performed and

4128-462: The design documents are examined for compliance with the applicable Minimum Operating Performance Standards (MOPS) applicable to that sub-assembly. MOPS are published by expert industry groups such as: RTCA Inc., EUROCAE, and SAE. When aircraft are produced to meet a given TC, each one need not be tested as rigorously but the confidence demonstrated by the TC is conferred, when the aircraft has been assigned

4214-541: The detailed inspections as "checks", commonly one of the following: A check, B check, C check, or D check. A and B checks are lighter checks, while C and D are considered heavier checks. Aircraft operators may perform some work at their own facilities, but often checks, and especially the heavier checks, take place at maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) company sites. The A check is performed approximately every 400-600 flight hours , or every 200–300 flights, depending on aircraft type. It needs about 50-70 man-hours , and

4300-418: The first fully assembled MRJ90 were available on 26 June 2014. An official rollout occurred on 18 October 2014. MHI employed new production methods such as integral wing stringers , unusually tight tolerances , shot peening of curved surfaces, and vacuum assisted resin transfer molding , intended to increase quality and thus reduce expensive fault correction to keep price competitive. The maiden flight of

4386-537: The flight test campaign towards the end of 2018. At the end of the year, the mid-2020 deadline seemed difficult to achieve. In January 2018, the avionics bay rearrangement and rerouted wiring were almost complete to be adequate for extreme events such as bomb explosions or water ingress underfloor. Upgrades and ground tests were performed on four flight test aircraft from February to March at Moses Lake, preceding flight testing for natural icing , avionics and autopilot , performance, stability and control. By April 2018,

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4472-519: The four prototypes had an above 98% availability . On 21 August, FTA-2 experienced a flameout 170 km (92 nmi) west of Portland International where it landed; partial damage was confirmed in the PW1200G and the test fleet was grounded until the cause was known. Flight testing resumed on 6 September. By December 2017, the MRJ test campaign was half complete, with 1,500 flight hours and less than 1% cancelled due to technical issues. The rate

4558-476: The frames outlined in a TC data sheet, and each given a serial number (a "series aircraft"). As the aircraft enters into service, it is subject to operational wear and tear which may cause performance degradations. The set of processes by which an aircraft, engine, propeller or part complies with the applicable airworthiness requirements and remains in a condition for safe operation throughout its operating life called continuing airworthiness . A maintenance program

4644-452: The holder is no longer capable or if the TC is transferred to another holder a regulatory authority should take appropriate action in accordance with the national legislation. In the case of the TC being transferred to another holder the new holder shall be capable of fulfilling the TC holder responsibilities in following ADs and providing technical support to keep the type design current with the applicable airworthiness requirements, even after

4730-504: The maintenance program and design changes to be accomplished via: Sometimes during service, the aircraft may encounter problems that may compromise the aircraft's safety, which are not anticipated or detected in prototype testing stages. The aircraft design is thus compromised. The regulators will now issue an airworthiness directive to the type certificate holder and to all owners globally. The directives normally consists of additional maintenance or design actions that are necessary to restore

4816-577: The manufacturer confirmed to the Federal Aviation Administration that it did not plan to restart development and production of the SpaceJet in the foreseeable future. On 17 April 2022, the third MRJ prototype built, formerly registered as JA23MJ, was dismantled . On 6 February 2023, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries terminated the Spacejet project altogether, stating the uncertainty of the regional jet market size, and announced plans to dissolve its Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation subsidiary. The announcement

4902-436: The manufacturer. This maintenance check is much more extensive than the B check, requiring a large majority of the aircraft's components to be inspected. This check puts the aircraft out of service for 1–4 weeks. The aircraft must not leave the maintenance site until it is completed. It also requires more space than A and B checks, therefore, it is usually carried out in a hangar at a maintenance base. The effort needed to complete

4988-519: The modified canted wingtip. The shorter span would allow operation at Colorado's Aspen/Pitkin County Airport , a popular tourist destination; the CRJ700 was the last jet in production to have the capability. The M90 in its final configuration first flew on 18 March 2020, before joining the rest of the test fleet in Moses Lake. In May 2020, Mitsubishi halved the budget of the SpaceJet program for

5074-489: The production drawing phase and was proceeding with the manufacturing process. Assembly of the first aircraft began in April 2011 with construction of the emergency escape for the cockpit. By December 2012, MRJ90 delivery was scheduled for 2017. A new production facility for the aircraft was built at Komaki Airport in Nagoya , Japan , on land purchased from the government at a total cost of 60 billion yen. The 2015 roll-out of

5160-423: The production of the aircraft type has stopped but many out-of-production aircraft continue useful lives. STCs are also bound by the same rules. When the holder decides to stop supporting the aircraft type without the transfer of TC holder responsibilities, the TC is returned to the issuing regulatory authority and the remaining aircraft fleet can be grounded by the current states of registry until further decisions on

5246-399: The prototype is approved, and the firm is granted the TC for the prototype (as understood that it should include all furnished equipment for its intended role). The legal term for the firm is now the "type certificate holder". Subsequently, the prototype now serves as a template for serial aircraft production and the aircraft rolling out of the factory should be identical to the prototype within

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5332-561: The registered aircraft continuing airworthiness. In this manner the whole Concorde fleet was finally grounded when Airbus SAS surrendered its TC. C check Aircraft maintenance checks are periodic inspections that have to be done on all commercial and civil aircraft after a certain amount of time or usage. Military aircraft normally follow specific maintenance programmes which may, or may not, be similar to those of commercial and civil operators. Airlines and other commercial operators of large, or turbine-powered, aircraft follow

5418-433: The regulatory authority agrees the change does not introduce new risk, the STC option is available. An STC is less expensive because the design change can be developed by a specialized design organization, a generally more flexible and efficient process than going through the original manufacturer. The STC defines the product design change, states how the modification affects the existing type design, and lists serial numbers of

5504-529: The satisfaction of the regulators. With all ground tests completed, prototypes are made ready for flight tests. The flight tests are flown by specially approved flight test pilots who will fly the prototypes to establish the ultimate flight limits which should be within the airworthiness rules. If a long range airliner is tested, the flight tests may cover the whole world. Tests may also cover different environments - high and low altitude, freezing and hot climates, and so on, to confirm correct performance throughout

5590-479: The scheduled entry into service was further pushed back until development was first paused in October 2020, and subsequently cancelled altogether in February 2023. The airframe was made mainly in aluminium with a carbon fibre composite empennage. The low-wing twinjet was powered by underwing Pratt & Whitney PW1000Gs , and was the first program to select the geared turbofan. The M90 (originally named MRJ90)

5676-528: The scope clause limit, a 42 t (93,000 lb) MTOW M100 could fly 1,910 nmi (3,540 km) with 84 passengers. The M100 redesign pushed back its projected service entry to 2023, one year later than the MRJ70, while the M90 was set to evolve into the M200. The 2 ft (0.61 m) longer fuselage could seat 88 in single-class, and at 91 ft (28 m), the wingspan is 4 ft (1.2 m) shorter with

5762-649: The scope-clause 86,000 lb (39 t) MTOW, to be unveiled at the June 2019 Paris Air Show . The reworked MRJ70 was to be called the Space Jet M100 and was expected to receive its type certificate in 2022. Mitsubishi envisaged U.S. production. Program cost was expected to reach ¥800 billion by the projected 2020 debut of the SpaceJet M90. On 15 September 2010, the Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation announced that it had entered

5848-540: The second quarter of 2012 and deliveries to early 2014. Maintenance intervals were expected to be 750 flight hours per A Check and 7,500 flight hours per C check . A 100-seat stretched MRJ100 was studied in March 2011. As of June 2015 it was still under evaluation. As the MRJ90 MTOW of 39.6 t was above the US regional carriers' scope clause of 39 t, SkyWest and Trans States Holdings could have converted their MRJ90 orders for 100 and 50, respectively, to

5934-673: The smaller MRJ70 was expected to be introduced in 2022. After the MRJ program lost ¥47.2 billion for six months to 30 September 2018 on top of its ¥110 billion deficit, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries injected ¥220bn ($ 1.94 billion) in Mitsubishi Aircraft, raising its stake from 64% to 86.7% and capital from ¥100 billion to ¥270 billion. Mitsubishi wanted to dismiss the Bombardier allegations and expected to be heard in Seattle's US District Court on 11 January 2019. By December 2018,

6020-577: The support network locations in Montréal, Québec , and Toronto, Ontario , its service centres located in Bridgeport, West Virginia , and Tucson, Arizona , and the type certificates. In June 2019, Mitsubishi rebranded the MRJ program as the SpaceJet. The MRJ90 was renamed as the SpaceJet M90 and a 76-seat variant specially targeted to meet US scope clauses , to be known as the SpaceJet M100,

6106-406: The tails, and the eighth, the first MRJ70, was at the assembly line start; Mitsubishi planned to manufacture 12 aircraft concurrently: in station one are joined fuselage sections, in station two the landing gear , wings and horizontal stabilisers are attached, in section three the major components are assembled, in outfitting takes place in section four and ground tests in station five, then

6192-516: The test fleet had logged 1,900 flight hours. The flight-test fleet attained 2,000 hours in May 2018, and as most of the flight envelope was explored, the next trimester shifted to runway performance: takeoff , landing and minimum control speeds . The MRJ70 test aircraft (number 8 and 9) were in final assembly as of May for expected delivery by the end of 2021, one year after the MRJ90 introduction. An MRJ in All Nippon Airways livery

6278-616: The type design is in compliance with airworthiness requirements. Examples of regulatory authorities are the United Kingdom's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Transport Canada , Brazil’s Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). When changes are needed to an airframe or on-board equipment, there are two options. One

6364-399: The type's airworthiness. Compliance is mandatory and thus if an operator does not comply with an AD, then the datum aircraft is not considered airworthy and further operation of the affected aircraft type would be unlawful , making the operator liable to legal action by the relevant national aviation authority, and rendering null-and-void any of the operator's insurance policies relating to

6450-479: The type, such as hull loss and accident third party coverage. ADs may also be raised with changes of the local or global aviation rules and requirements, e.g., the requirement to fit armored cockpit doors for all passenger airliners after the September 11 attacks . The certifying authority issues an AD when an unsafe condition is found to exist in a product (aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance) of

6536-524: The year ending 31 March 2021. It confirmed its commitment to the baseline M90 version but intended to reconsider the M100 in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the aviation industry . All work on the SpaceJet outside Japan, including flight testing of the M90 at Moses Lake, was repatriated to the company's headquarters in Nagoya. In October 2020, Mitsubishi announced a further budget reduction and

6622-608: Was accelerating with tests set up before the January 2017 avionics bay redesign: special runway tests, extreme environment and high altitude tests, to be completed in 2018. An additional flight test aircraft incorporating the redesign was to join the campaign in the second half of 2018, focused on wiring tests such as lightning and high-intensity radio-frequency. Two additional aircraft (10007 and 10010), recently painted white and under structural assembly in December, were expected to join

6708-423: Was announced. This version would have been 1.1 m (3 ft 7 in) longer than the abandoned MRJ70 but 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in) shorter than the M90. The E175-E2 is heavier than the current, scope-compliant E175, with its larger GTF engines, and being longer (by one frame) and wider (by 2.3 m (7 ft 7 in)): when its cabin is full, it can only fill 4 t (8,800 lb) of fuel within

6794-497: Was exhibited at the July Farnborough Airshow , alongside appearances by the similar Embraer 190 E2 and larger Airbus A220 . In October 2018, Bombardier sued Mitsubishi in Seattle, alleging that its ex-employees stole trade secrets to help for US certification. By then, the four MRJ90 prototypes had clocked 2,400 hours, targeting certification in late 2019 or early 2020 and first delivery in mid-2020, while

6880-483: Was focused on a 2m high by 2.8m-wide, four-seat-abreast cabin , seating 30 to 50 passengers, and was hoping to fly a prototype in 2007 and deliver the first aircraft in 2010. In 2005 it switched to a larger 70-90 seat category. MHI launched its concept at the Paris Air Show in June 2007, showing a full-scale cabin mock-up and aiming to be the first regional jet with an all- composite airframe. Certification

6966-423: Was made along with Mitsubishi's financial report, though the company said the decision would not hurt its bottom line. On 8 March 2023, a second Spacejet prototype, registered as JA21MJ, was dismantled. In 2008, All Nippon Airways was the first customer, with an order for 15 MRJ 90s and an option for 10 more. In March 2008, and again in October 2008, Sankei Shimbun and Fuji Sankei Business I reported that

7052-519: Was targeted for 2012. Mitsubishi formally offered the MRJ to airlines in October 2007 – the first Japanese airliner since the NAMC YS-11 which stopped production in 1974 – after being the first airframer to select the Pratt & Whitney PW1000G geared turbofan offering a 12% reduction in thrust specific fuel consumption , rated at 15,000 lbf (67 kN) thrust on

7138-570: Was targeting a 20% share of 5,000 sales forecast in the 70-90-seat bracket over 20 years. Flight testing was scheduled for late 2011 and the $ 1.9-billion program would have needed 300-400 sales to recoup its cost. Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation (MAC) is a partnership between majority owner Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and minority owner Toyota with design assistance from Subaru Corporation , itself already an aerospace manufacturer. In September 2009, Mitsubishi unveiled extensive design changes, using aluminium instead of carbon fibre composites for

7224-626: Was to seat 86 to 96, while the smaller MRJ70 was to accommodate 70 to 80 passengers. The MRJ70 was replaced by the SpaceJet M100, stretched by 1.1 m (3 ft 7 in) to better meet US scope clauses at 76 seats with premium seating. It was comparable with the Embraer E-Jet E2 family . In 2003 the Japanese government started a five-year, ¥50 billion ($ 420 million) research program to study an indigenous regional jet for 30 to 90 passengers, led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI). In 2004 MHI

7310-554: Was undergoing crosswind and climate testing, while two more MRJ90s were expected by the summer. On 24 June 2019, Bombardier and Mitsubishi announced that Mitsubishi would purchase the CRJ Programme from Bombardier for US$ 550 million and assume US$ 200 million in liabilities. With the deal, Mitsubishi will acquire the maintenance, support, refurbishment, marketing, and sales activities for the CRJ Series aircraft, including

7396-661: Was worth $ 4.2bn at list prices. During the 2013 Regional Airlines Association conference, held in Montreal, Quebec , Canada, Mitsubishi announced that ANI Group Holdings, which firmed a MoU for 5 MRJ aircraft in June 2011, cancelled the deal, without giving further details. On 20 July 2016, one of the officials at Iran's ministry of transportation announced Iran was buying 25 ATR airplanes for Iran Aseman Airlines and for further purchases Mitsubishi has shown interest in offering 20 MRJ planes. On 21 May 2017, Iran cancelled its plans to buy Mitsubishi's Regional Jet (MRJ). Inability to set

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