Mitsubishi launches SpaceJet
Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation (MITAC) announces an in-depth redesign of its regional aircraft program, renamed SpaceJet.
The MRJ90 retains its basic features and will be renamed SpaceJet M90. Since this is a simple name change, MITAC continues flight testing to obtain certification from both Japan and the FAA. The delivery of the first SPaceJet M90 is expected in 2020.
The MRJ-70 is abandoned to be replaced by the SpaceJet M100 with a maximum take-off weight of 86,000 pounds with 76 seats when the cabin is configured in three classes. The SpaceJet M100 will therefore meet the scope clause opening the important US market which accounts for 70% of regional aircraft sales.
In order to reduce the weight of the SpaceJet M100, MITAC has reduced wingspan resulting in a greater take-off distance. The cargo compartment is also reduced to offer a fairly spacious cabin even if the fuselage has been reduced. The upper luggage compartments have been redesigned to accommodate one suitcase per passenger.
The engineering work that has been done is giving results that make the SpaceJet M100 a much more attractive regional aircraft for air carriers especially as it now meets the US scope clause.
In its press release, MITAC does not mention when the SpaceJet M100 will be certified. But some changes such as shorter wings will delay certification that will not occur until 2022 or even 2023.The decision to publish now the arrival of SpaceJet rather than at the Bourget seems to us a good one because whatever the state of the negotiations between Bombardier and MITAC, this subject would have dominated that of the launch of the SpaceJet.
Click here to see spec of the M100
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