ATR Can Commence Delivery Of The Regional Aircraft

The EASA has certified the  ATR 72-600, the newest member of the ATR family. A prerequisite for the aircraft’s entry into service, this certification covers the new equipment on the aircraft, and is the successful conclusion to a series of ground and flight tests conducted on the ATR 72-600 prototype. Flight testing on the aircraft began in the summer of 2009.

ATR 72-600 File Photo

This series of tests validated the proper functioning of the new systems and equipment installed on the aircraft, such as its new avionics: a new glass cockpit with 5 LCD screens, new communication, navigation, monitoring, flight management (FMS), Automatic Pilot and alert management systems, and a new MPC computer system (including aircraft maintenance and protection functions).

Filippo Bagnato, CEO of ATR, said he is “very proud to see that the ATR 72-600 is now on the brink of entering into service. Development of the new 600-series ATRs is based on our commitment to continue developing our line of aircraft in order to better meet the needs of regional airlines, in terms of operating costs as well as airworthiness and  passenger comfort. The ATR ‘-600’ ... features new avionics developed in partnership with Thales which make flight management even simpler thanks to its state-of-the-art technology.”

ATR 72-600 File Photo

The test campaign was mainly conducted in Toulouse, although the aircraft also traveled to Tarbes and Agen (France), Lugano (Switzerland) and Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris. While in Tarbes and Agen, ATR was able to test proper functioning of the autopilot system, notably in high wind conditions. In Lugano, ATR tested the ATR 72-600 on steep landing strips (slope: 6.65°). At Charles de Gaulle Airport, ATR checked the navigation management systems (radio, SMS, GPS, RNP) in traffic conditions characteristic of a busy major airport. 

Since launching the new ATR 42-600 and ATR 72-600 program in October 2007, ATR has received orders for a total of 141 aircraft inthis new series. Delivery of the first ATR 72-600s will begin this summer. Royal Air Maroc, who ordered a total of 4 ATR 72-600s and 2 ATR 42-600s, willbe the first operator to take delivery of an ATR 72-600.

ATR 42-600 File Photo

Testing on the ATR 42-600 is currently underway, and this aircraft will benefit from its close similarity to the ATR 72-600 (fuselage, engines, avionics). Its certification is expected at the end of the year.

FMI: www.atraircraft.com