ATR42

  Introduction:   -                                                                                          

ATR 42-500 on final approach

The ATR42 is a twin-turboprop aircraft designed by the French-Italian aerospace manufacturer ATR. It is a regional airliner that can accommodate up to 50 passengers and can fly short to medium-haul routes. The aircraft's design incorporates several features that make it popular among regional airlines, including its fuel efficiency, high reliability, and low operating costs. This article will discuss the ATR42 in detail, including its history, specifications, and features.

On 3 December 1985, the first production aircraft, designated as the ATR 42-300, was delivered to French launch customer Air Littoral, with the first revenue service, between Beziers Cap d'Agde Airport and Paris Orally Airport taking place on 23 December. In January 1986, already confident of the ATR 42's success and of the demand for an enlarged version of the aircraft, ATR announced the launch of a program to develop such an aircraft, which was designated as the ATR 72 to reflect its increased passenger capacity.

By the end of 1986, the ATR 42 had accumulated a sizable backlog of orders, which in turn led to a ramping up of the type's rate of production. During August 1988, ATR's marketing efforts in the lucrative North American market resulted in the securing of a large order of 50 ATR-42-300s from US operator Texas Air Corporation; that same year, another American regional carrier, Trans World Express, received the 100th production aircraft. On 1 July 1989, ATR opened their new global training center for the type in Toulouse, which provided centralized and modern facilities for the training to airline staff and other personnel across the world. In June 1999, the ATR global training center became one of the first European institutions to be recognized as a Type Rating Training Organization, as defined by the Joint Aviation Authorities.

During September 1989, ATR announced it had achieved its original target of 400 sales of the ATR. That same year, deliveries of the enlarged ATR 72 commenced; shortly thereafter, both types commonly were ordered together. Since the smaller ATR 42 is assembled on the same production line as the ATR 72, along with sharing the majority of subsystems, components, and manufacturing techniques, the two types support each other to remain in production. This factor may have been crucial, as by 2015, the ATR 42 was the only 50-seat regional aircraft that was still being manufactured.

History: -   

The ATR42 was first introduced in 1985 by ATR, a joint venture between the French aerospace company Aerospatiale and the Italian aerospace company Aeritalia. The aircraft was designed to meet the demand for a regional airliner that could operate on short to medium-haul routes with high efficiency and low operating costs. The ATR42's first flight was on August 16, 1984, and it received certification from the French and Italian aviation authorities in September 1985.

The aircraft's first customer was Air Littoral, a regional airline in France. Since then, the ATR42 has become a popular choice for regional airlines worldwide, with over 470 units delivered to date. The aircraft's success led to the development of a larger version, the ATR72, which can accommodate up to 78 passengers.

Development  -  

During the 1960s and 1970s, European aircraft manufacturers had, for the most part, undergone considerable corporate restructuring, including mergers and consolidations, as well as moved towards collaborative multinational programs, such as the newly launched Airbus A300. In line with this trend towards intra-European cooperation, French aerospace company Aerospatiale and Italian aviation conglomerate Aeritalia commenced discussions on the topic of working together to develop an all-new regional airliner. Prior to this, both companies had been independently conducting studies for their own aircraft concepts, the AS 35 design in the case of Aerospatiale and the AIT 230 for Aeritalia, to conform with demand within this sector of the market as early as 1978.

Initial development  - 

First flight at Toulouse-Blagnac airport, 16 August 1984

On 4 November 1981, a formal cooperation agreement was signed by Aeritalia chairman Renato Boniface and Aerospatiale chairman Jacques Mitterrand in Paris. This agreement signaled not only the merger of their efforts but also of their separate concept designs together into a single complete aircraft design for the purpose of pursuing its development and manufacture as a collaborative joint venture. The consortium then targeted a similar unit cost, but a 950 lb. (430 kg) fuel consumption over a 200 mi (370 km) sector, nearly half the 1,750 lb. (790 kg) required by its 40-50 seat competitors, the British Aerospace HS.748 and Fokker F.27, and planned a 58-seat ATR XX stretch.
This agreement served not only as the basis and origins of the ATR company but also as the effective launch point of what would become the fledgling firm's first aircraft, which was designated as the ATR 42. By 1983, ATR's customer services division has been set up, readying infrastructure worldwide to provide support for ATR's upcoming aircraft to any customer regardless of location. On 16 August 1984, the first ATR 42 conducted its maiden flight from Toulouse Airport, France. In September 1985, both the French Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Italian Italian Civil Aviation Authority awarded type certification for the type, clearing it to commence operational service.

Specifications: -

The ATR42 has a length of 22.67 meters, a wingspan of 24.57 meters, and a height of 7.59 meters. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 18,600 kilograms and can fly at a maximum speed of 556 kilometers per hour. The aircraft has a range of 1,500 to 2,000 kilometers, depending on the version and the number of passengers.

The ATR42 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW120 turboprop engines, which provide a combined maximum power output of 2,500 horsepower. The engines are known for their fuel efficiency and low noise emissions, making the ATR42 a popular choice for environmentally-conscious airlines.

The aircraft can accommodate up to 50 passengers in a standard configuration, with a typical seat pitch of 30 inches. The cabin is designed to be spacious and comfortable, with large windows and overhead bins that can accommodate standard-sized luggage.

Features   - 

The ATR42 incorporates several features that make it popular among regional airlines. One of the most significant features is its fuel efficiency, which is achieved through the use of turboprop engines and advanced aerodynamics. The aircraft's low operating costs are also a result of its fuel efficiency, as well as its high reliability and ease of maintenance.

Another key feature of the ATR42 is its versatility, as it can operate on a wide range of routes, from short hops between small airports to medium-haul routes between larger cities. The aircraft's ability to operate on shorter runways also makes it an ideal choice for regional airlines, as it allows them to serve airports with limited infrastructure.

The ATR42 is also known for its low noise emissions, which make it a popular choice for airports with strict noise regulations. The aircraft's advanced noise reduction technology includes a four-bladed propeller design and soundproofing materials in the cabin.

The ATR42's cockpit is equipped with modern avionics systems, including a digital flight management system and a weather radar. The aircraft's autopilot system allows for precision navigation and landing, even in adverse weather conditions.

Conclusion:

The ATR42 is a regional airliner that has become a popular choice for airlines worldwide. Its fuel efficiency, high reliability, and low operating costs make it an ideal choice for regional airlines, while its versatility and low noise emissions make it a popular choice for airports with strict noise regulations. The ATR42's advanced avion