ATR 42 (Avions de Transport Regional Model 42)

History of ATR 42 (Avions de Transport Regional Model 42)

Avions de Transport Regional - or ATR - is a joint French-Italian aircraft group established in the early 1980s to provide short-haul and mid-haul solutions for airlines worldwide. Known for its line of twin-turboprop high-wing aircraft and transport aircraft, the company has produced more than 1,300 prototypes to date.

Its main products that fit the above molds are the ATR 42 and ATR 72 series aircraft (the former is the focus of this article, the latter is detailed elsewhere on this site). Their model numbers roughly correspond to the number of seats available in each design (42 and 72).

ATR was originally created as a collaboration between French Aerospatiale and Italian Aeritalia. Aerospatiale has since been part of the Airbus brand (merged with EADS in 2000, which was subsequently acquired by Airbus) and Aeritalia merged with Selenia in 1990. So today (2018) parent companies Airbus and Leonardo each own 50% of the company.

All ATR aircraft are assembled in Toulouse, France.

The ATR 42-600 entered service in October 2007 with a PW127M series turboprop engine with slightly improved performance and a fully digital all-glass cockpit (Thales avionics) for two people. Again, the cabin has been improved for the better.

Both the ATR 42-500 and ATR 42-600 models have a cruising speed of 300 knots and a range of up to 715 nautical miles.

All versions of the ATR 42 have two occupants and can accommodate up to 48 seats. Overall length is 74.4 feet, with a wingspan of 80.6 feet and a height of 24.10 feet.

In addition to the Italian military operations of the ATR 42 series, other military actors include the Nigerian Air Force (which conducts two maritime patrols) and the Myanmar Air Force (two ATR 42-320 models in stock - 2018). Civilian operators range from Japan to Pakistan, although some airlines (and some military operators such as the Colombian Air Force) have retired and sold their ATR 42 fleets.

Due to the early market success of the ATR 42, the follow-up program ATR 72 (sharing the design, components and production line of the ATR 42) was launched shortly after 15 January 1986. Delivery of this enhanced form began in September 1989.

ATR 42 is still actively operating globally today (2018). Total production has exceeded 475 units, with an average unit cost of nearly $20 million.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes