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.