Japanese press reports say the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) has completed its first test flight since two trips to the USA were turned around last month due to air-conditioning system problems.
The MRJ took off from an airport in Nagoya shortly after noon Friday September 10, returning just before 2pm. Flight data will be analyzed soon.
A flight test MRJ on a flight from the Nagoya site to Washington state in late August turned back when an alarm sounded not long after takeoff, indicating an air-conditioning malfunction. A similar scenario played out the next day, requiring a return to the airport.
Faulty sensors were thought to have caused the problem, and have been replaced.
Another attempt to fly to Washington may occur at the end of September but flight permissions are needed from Russia, where the jet will stop over. Ideal weather conditions are also needed.
Four MRJs will be transferred to Washington for flight testing, hopefully before the end of 2016. Most of the 2,500 test flight hours required to obtain safety certification will be flown in the USA.
