AIRCRAFT
Aerospatiale of France and Aeritalia (now Alenia Aeronautica) of Italy established Avions de Transport Regional (ATR) as a Groupement d'Intéret Economique (Economic Interest Grouping), on February 5, 1982, under French law to manage the program of development, production and management of a regional airliner known as the ATR42. The aircraft had been launched some three months earlier, on Oct. 29, 1981, as a joint product of the two companies, in continuation of a preliminary accord reached in July, 1980.
Before that time, both companies had been studying the market for a regional airliner with 30-40 seats and had produced project designs under the designations Aerospatiale AS-35 and Aeritalia AIT 320. These projects were of generally similar configuration, and the ATR42 was a continuation of the same theme, with a high wing, two turboprop engines, fuselage-side blisters for the main landing gear units, and a T-tail. Sizing of the aircraft was a matter for careful study, with 42 seats eventually adopted as the norm, a few more than in the earlier independent project designs (as their designations indicated).
>From the start of development, however, there was pressure to increase the seating capacity, and eventually a stretched version was launched some four years after the go-ahead for the ATR42 itself. The division of labor between the two companies provides for Aerospatiale to manufacture the wing while Aeritalia produces the fuselage and tail unit. The Italian company is also responsible for the hydraulic, air-conditioning and pressurization systems, while the French partner looks after the flight deck and cabin, the power plant, and the electrical and flight-control systems.
Civil passenger versions of the ATR42 are assembled and test flown at Toulouse; the ATM 42-R military cargo version and any civil freighters with rear loading ramp are assembled at Naples. First flight of the ATR42 was on August 16, 1984, the second development aircraft was flown on Oct. 31 of that year.
The designations ATR42-100 and ATR42-200 were at first applied to versions with gross weights of 32,848 lb. (14,900 kg.) and 34,722 lb. (15,750 kg.) respectively, the latter having a redesigned interior that allowed accommodation to be increased from 42 to 50 without any change in external dimensions.
Certification of the ATR42-200 and ATR42-300 was obtained in France on Sept. 24, 1985, and immediately ratified in Italy, in accordance with the joint European JAR standards. U.S. certification to FAR 25 was confirmed on Oct. 25, 1985.
By the time production deliveries began, the ATR42-300 had become the standard aircraft with two P&WC PW120 turboprops (2,000 shp/1492kW). The ATR 42-320 was later produced as a high gross weight option at 35,604 lb. (16,150 kg.), with a range of 890 nm (1,650 km) carrying a full passenger payload. This was powered by two PW121 turboprops (2,100 shp/11567kW). Other designated variants of the basic aircraft include the ATR 42F commercial freighter and the ATM 42 military freighter, the latter with a rear-loading ramp.
The first production ATR42 flew on Apr. 30, 1985. Deliveries began on Dec. 3, 1985, to Air Littoral, and the first revenue services were flown on Dec. 9, 1985, by that company.
The military version, the ATR52C military freighter with rear loading ramp was offered but never sold. However, a maritime patrol version, the ATR42MP, based on the ATR42-500 was ordered by the Italian government.
The ATR42-300 now has a range with 46 passengers and full reserves of 1,050 nm. (1,946 km). Also available for hot and high operations is the ATR 42-320 with more powerful P&WC PW121 turboprops (2,100 shp/1,492 kW).
In May 1995 it was joined by the ATR42-500 with more powerful PW127 turboprops (2,750 shp/2,051 kW) (earlier used on the ATR72-210 to give augmented power for hot and high operations) driving Hamilton Standard (now Hamilton Sundstrand) 6-bladed propellers (all other ATR 42 have 4-bladed propellers). This model was the first significantly improved version of the aircraft, and had a substantially increased cruising speed of 565km/h (305kt). It also featured improved comfort through a revised interior and reduced cabin noise, and has a 41,440 lb (18,500 kg) MTOW instead of 16,700 kg, enabling the payload to be boosted by 1,344 lb (600 kg).
The ATR 42-500 can carry up to 19 more passengers than the -200 in hot and high conditions. It has a 1850km (1000nm) maximum range, and the EFIS (Electronic Flight Instrument System) cockpit, elevators and rudders of the stretched ATR-72 (described separately). To handle the higher weight, it has new brakes and landing gear, and strengthened wings and fuselage. The first ATR 42-500 delivery was in October 1995.
In January 1996, ATR became part of Aero International (Regional), the regional airliner consortium established to incorporate ATR, Avro and Jetstream. AI(R) handled sales, marketing and support for both the ATRs, plus the Avro RJs and the Jetstream 41. The consortium disbanded in mid-1998 and ATR regained its independence.
In mid-2000 ATR launched cargo conversions for the ATR 42 (5.8 tonne payload) and for the ATR72 (8.25 tonne payload). These conversions turn the airplanes into quick-change passenger/freight versions. DHL's African freight operation purchased 2 converted ATR 42-300s. The conversion included a new larger cargo door, and passenger cabin modifications.
Production locations
Alenia Aeronautica's manufacturing facilities in Pomigliano near Naples, Italy, produce the aircraft fuselage and tail sections. Aircraft wings are assembled at EADS Sogerma Services in Bordeaux in western France for Airbus France. Final assembly, flight-testing, certification and deliveries are the responsibility of ATR in Toulouse, France.
Some of the main fuselage sections for ATR are produced in China at Shaanxi Aerospace, Xian.
In August 2006, a total of 312 ATR42 aircraft (all variants) remained in airline service, with 12 further firm orders.
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