Updated Planes Will Sport New Engines, Updated Avionics

Despite predictions just a few short years ago the era of the regional turboprop was coming to an end, today 'windmill'-equipped airliners continue to proliferate. Hoping to capitalize on this growing market, on Wednesday European turboprop aircraft manufacturer ATR announced the launch of the "-600 series", the newest version of its family of aircraft.

ATR CEO Stephane Mayer tells ANN the new ATR 42-600 and ATR 72-600 will feature the latest technological enhancements while building upon the advantages of its current aircraft -- namely its high efficiency, proven dispatch reliability and low fuel burn and operationing cost.

"The "-600 series" ATRs are the result of our continuous product improvement strategy in order to meet the demands of the market," Mayer said. "The new ATR is vastly different from the earlier versions of the aircraft, with many innovations and developments resulting from the operators' experience and the newest available technologies. These developments allow ATR to provide state-of-the art technology and environmentally-friendly aircraft with high reliability, superior comfort, and the lowest cost per seat among regional aircraft".

The "-600 series" ATR aircraft will be progressively introduced during the second half of 2010.

Compared to the current "-500 series", the main developments of the "-600 series" ATRs comprise a new avionics suite, equipped with upgraded instrumentation. This includes the latest and most accurate computing systems for navigation, recording, auto- pilot and communications.

A true "Glass Cockpit" -- with five wide LCD screens -- will replace the current EFIS (Electronic Flight Instrumental System). In addition, a multi purpose computer (MPC) will further enhance Flight Safety and operational capabilities. The new avionics will also provide CAT III and RNP capabilities. All these main improvements will provide advantages and performance improvements in terms of weight reduction, reliability, energy consumption and durability.

ATR -600s will also include the new PW 127 M turbine as the standard powerplant. This enhanced version of the ATR engine will allow an increased power rating for the ATR 72-600, that will provide improved performance for hot and high conditions.

Compared to the current optional Design Weights, the new ATR 72-600 will also allow a standard weight increase of 661 lbs. on MTOW (Maximum Take Off Weight) and MZFW (Max Zero Fuel Weight), plus optional weight increases of an additional 441 lbs. This will improve the payload and performance to cope with increasing demands of passenger weights and baggage.

As for passengers, the -600 series will include all existing and future cabin improvements developed by ATR, including the latest in Light Emitting Diode lighting inside the cabin. LEDs will also be used or external navigation and anti-collision lighting in order to further reduce costs and increase life span.

"The '-600 series' underlines the strong "family concept" of ATR, with two aircraft that are extremely similar, providing common airframe, common engines, common cockpit and the same pilot type rating. The compromise between simplicity and effectiveness of the design is one of our key goals," Mayer said.

"The next 10 years forecast for the turboprop market is for a requirement of over 1,400 aircraft. This provides a solid basis for ATR to continue its investment in improvement and developing our very successful product," he added.

FMI: www.atr.fr