AIRCRAFT
The popular ATR42 design gave rise to the stretched ATR72, which was announced at the 1985 Paris Air Show. Its fuselage is lengthened by 4.49m (14ft 8.5in) to provide up to 74 seats at a pitch of 30 in. (76 cm). Its wings are new outboard of the engine nacelles, with 30% of it made up of composite materials, comprising composite spars and skin panels and a carbon-fiber wing box. The span has been increased by 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m). The model also has a greater fuel capacity and other increased dimensions compared with the ATR 42.The basic model is the ATR72-200. Its engines are 2,400 shp (1,790 kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PW124Bs, rated at 2,160 shp (1,611 kW) for normal operations.
The first of three ATR 72 development aircraft flew for the first time on October 27, 1988, followed by the awarding of French and then US certification in late 1989. Entry into service was on October 27, 1989, with commuter airline Kar Air of Finland. Some other early operators are Foshing Airlines, NFD (later Eurowings), CSA, American Eagle, TAT, Air Littoral, LOT Polish Airlines, and Olympic Airlines.
The ATR72-200, had a maximum takeoff weight of 44,070 lb (19,990 kg), a maximum payload of 15,430 lb (7,000 kg) and a range with 70 passengers of 900 nm. (l,670 km).
Other version are the ATR72-210 is optimized for operations in hot and high conditions. It has more powerful PW-127 engines for better takeoff performance.
The ATR 72-500 (renamed from ATR72-210A on May 18, 1998) is a further improved hot and high model with a higher MTOW. It was certificated in early 1997, and features PW-127Fs driving six-blade composite Hamilton Sundstrand propellers.
Development of a 78-passenger ATR82, which would have been powered by two Rolls-Royce/Allison AE 2100 turboprops, was suspended in early 1996 when ATR temporarily became part of Aero International (Regional). AI(R) disbanded in mid-1998.
In mid-2000 ATR launched cargo conversions for the ATR 42 (5.8 tonne payload) and ATR 72 (8.25 tonne payload). The freighter includes a new larger cargo door and passenger cabin modifications.
The ATR 72ASW is to meet the growing demand for a medium-range anti-submarine warplane aircraft at low cost.
Some of the main fuselage sections for the ATR are produced in China at Shaanxi Aerospace, Xian, and discussions continue with Aviation Industries of China about the possibility of establishing a final assembly line in China.
In April 2000, ATR delivered its 600th ATR, an ATR 72-500 to Air Dolomiti.
Customer airlines include Air Bosna, Air New Zealand, Alitalia, Arkia, Czech Airlines, Israir, Jat Airways, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), TACV, TAROM, Thai Airways International and Vietnam Airlines. FedEx purchased several used ATR 42s and 72s from different airlines for conversion to cargo use.
In August 2006 a total of 297 ATR 72 aircraft (all variants) remained in airline service, with 91 further firm orders.
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