Japan’s First Passenger Jet Passes Taxiing Tests

Japan's first jet airliner Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) on Saturday successfully passed a high-speed taxiing test, accelerating to 220 kilometers per hour (137 miles per hour), local media reported.

TOKYO (Sputnik) — Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation held the tests on Friday and Saturday, resulting in the aircraft for the first time being able to lift the front landing gear from the ground, Kyodo news agency reported. The tests were held at the airport of Japan’s Aichi Prefecture, according to the media.

Saturday’s taxiing tests were the last step before a flight test, the media reported, citing a source in the company. In October, Tokyo gave approval for Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation’s new passenger jet to fly, opening the way for its first flight in the week starting November 9.

The MRJ is expected to become the first jet aircraft fully manufactured in Japan. The MRJ’s first test flight was scheduled for May this year, however it was repeatedly postponed for technical reasons.

Devised for regional markets, the MRJ offers two variants, the MRJ 70 which seats up to 78 passengers, and the MRJ 90 which offers seating up to 92 passengers. The Company does not exclude that a modification of 100-seat capacity could be produced in the future.