Page 8 - February 2015 Volume 19 Number 2

WeWWWhhhhhheeeeeTTTTrrrrrroeeeee Ao TArreeoeoooBy LeRoy CookBy any reasonable prediction, one would expect that the Mitsubishi MU-2 twin turboprop, introduced in the late 1960s and out of production since 1983, would be an “orphan airplane”, with factory parts and support no longer available. As it turns out, that’s the farthest thing from the truth. Not only is the MU-2 fleet alive and well, it still enjoys support from its manufacturer, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and 12 authorized Service Centers.Among the dozen Centers worldwide, only one is owned by MHI itself: Intercontinental Jet Service located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. ICJS also hosts the MU-2’s global parts supply warehouse and can offer just about every possible service option for the venerable MU-2. Only full painting and zero-time overhauls for the Honeywell TPE-331 powerplants are farmed out; everything else, from propeller overhauls to avionics updates, can be done at the Tulsa facility.The MU-2, of course, has had a long and storied history, not the least of which are tales of “killer airplane” and uninsurability. As the only twin turboprop in its class that was designed from the very beginning to be a turboprop (all of its competitors were developed from piston-engine predecessors), it was extremely advanced for its time. The MU-2 introduced features like spoiler roll-axis control so it could be given full-span flaps, a high wing loading for both speed and a solid ride through turbulence, and over-built military-style construction with no life limit on the airframe. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries had considerable experience with building aircraft under license from U.S. firms, hence the MU-2 drew heavily on its in-house expertise.It was the first true over-300-mph small business airplane, outpacing competitors and attracting buyers seeking the highest-performing aircraft they could afford. But, because it required somewhat different operational techniques, some of the new owners got behind the MU-2 and its accident toll became inflated by armchair experts. MHI rose to the occasion and 20 years ago it developed a PROP (Pilots Review of Proficiency) biennial pilot-proficiency training course.6 • TWIN & TURBINEkTTakIntercontinental Jet Services Provides Factory Support ForThe MU-2FEBRUARY 2015eee