Industry New Mitsubishi SpaceJet Flight Test Vehicle performs maiden flight

FTV10 is the first Mitsubishi SpaceJet M90 in final and certifiable baseline configuration. The aircraft departed the Prefectural Nagoya Airport and performed several basic aircraft performance tests in normal operating conditions. After approximately two hours, the aircraft returned to Nagoya and performed a successful landing.

This completion of the maiden flight of FTV10 marks another milestone for Mitsubishi. The Japanese manufacturer is now prepared to enter the final phase of certification flight testing for the SpaceJet M90 jet.

"I am very pleased that FTV10, which was handed over from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in January this year, successfully conducted its first flight today," Hisakazu Mizutani, President of Mitsubishi Aircraft said. “I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all those who are continuously supporting the program. We are excited for this latest step in the certification of the Mitsubishi SpaceJet M90."

“Today’s announcement is especially encouraging, as it marks the start of certification flight testing for the first SpaceJet M90 in final, certifiable configuration,” added Alex Bellamy, Mitsubishi Aircraft’s Chief Development Officer. “We are all proud of this latest accomplishment, which reflects the hard work of a dedicated team, the culmination of an organizational transformation and all of the engineering changes made since 2016. We look forward to continuing our progress toward commercial certification of the M90 program.”

For the upcoming weeks, Mitsubishi Aircraft plans to continue the flight tests on the FTV10 from Nagoya. Then, the aircraft will be prepared for the ferry flight to Moses Lake Flight Test Center (MFC), where it will join the remainder of the Mitsubishi SpaceJet M90 fleet.

The SpaceJet M90 is the first commercial jet manufactured in Japan. It can seat 81 passengers in a two-class configuration and has a range of 3,770 kilometres. The aircraft is being powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1200G engines. The other version of Mitsubishi´s new aircraft family is the M100, which can seat 77 passengers in a three-class configuration and has a slightly shorter range.