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ATR 72 and ATR 42:

Aircraft information, history and facts about the ATR-72 and ATR-42:

 
(In this photo: The ATR 72 aircraft)

The ATR 42 and ATR 72 are a popular family of high-wing, short-haul, twin turboprop, regional airliners produced by the Italian-French manufacturer ATR, presently an Alenia Aeronautica and EADS joint venture. The ATR family of aircraft have excellent short field performance, and can easily operate out of smaller airports with narrow runways.

ATR 72 video: propellers NOT ROTATING (stroboscopic effect)

Both the ATR-42 and ATR-72 are considerably cost effective for their market segments, and have been optimized for efficiency, operational flexibility, and passenger comfort. They share the same fuselage cross-section, basic systems, and a common cockpit. Unlike the majority of other airliners though, passengers on the ATR 42 and ATR 72 are usually boarded through the rear door.

Seating between 40 and 52 passengers, the ATR 42-300, powered with Pratt & Whitney Canada PW120 engines, was officially announced in 1981. The 42-300 made it's maiden flight on August 16th 1984, and took to the skies at the end of 1985 with Air Littoral.

Following the 42-300, ATR engineers then developed the 42-320, powered with two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW121 engines, and then the 42-400, which became the first model in the family to feature six-bladed propellers.

The ATR 42-500 is the current production modification, with a cruise speed of 300 knots, a service ceiling of 7,600 meters, and a range of approximately 1,600 kilometers. The 42-500 features Pratt and Whitney Canada PW127E engines, a newly designed interior cabin, a secondary structure made extensively of composite materials, and an increased weight capacity.  

(In this photo: ATR 42/72 cockpit)

It was in 1986 that ATR formally announced the ATR 72 classification, which was essentially introduced as an ATR 42 with an increased seating capacity. Engineers stretched the fuselage of the 42 by 4.5 meters, allowing room for up to 78 passengers. They also added more powerful engines and increased the wingspan.

The ATR 72 made it's maiden flight on October 27th 1988, and entered service with Finnair exactly a year later on October 27th 1989.

Today American Eagle operates 39 ATR 72-200's, serving cities within 450 miles of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, along with Florida and some Caribbean routes. Cargo variations of both the 42 and 72 are commonly used by FedEx, Aviavilsa, UPS, and DHL. Fedex Feeder currently operates a fleet of 26 ATR 42-300 and 320's, and 21 ATR 72-200's.

(In this photo: The nose section of the ATR 72)

The ATR 72-500, is very similar to the smaller ATR 42-500, but it is powered by Pratt and Whitney Canada PW127F engines.

In September of 2010 ATR delivered a 72-500 to Brazil's TRIP Linhas Aéreas, making a total of 900 combined ATR deliveries to date. Alone, over 401 ATR 42's have been produced since 1984.

Unfortunately, there have been a few hull losses since the intrudoction of the ATR aircraft into service. The most recent one was UTAir ATR-72 near Tymen on the 2nd April. Aircraft registration was VP-BYZ (Previously OH-KRL) and model type ATR-72-200.

The newest members of the ATR family, the 42-600 and 72-600, are still in testing and development, but are expected to enter service during the second quarter of 2011. This new generation features Pratt and Whitney Canada PW127M engines, a glass cockpit flight deck, new avionics which will be easier to maintain, interior LED lighting to reduce electric power consumption, lighter more comfortable seats, and larger overhead baggage compartments.