ATR 42-300

The ATR 42-300 is a twin-turboprop, short-haul regional airliner built in France and Italy by ATR (Aerei da Trasporto Regionale or Avions de transport régional). ATR models have their final assembly in Toulouse and share resources and technology with Airbus. The name “42” comes from the aircraft’s standard seating, which varies from 40 to 52.

There are six major variants of the ATR 42. One of them – the −300 was the standard production version. This model was manufactured until 1996. It was powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW120 engines rated at 2,000 shp (1,500 kW).

History

The ATR-42 was the consortium’s first aircraft and was launched in October 1981. The first of two ATR-42 prototypes flew for the first time on August 16, 1984. Italian and French authorities granted certification in September 1985 and the first ATR-42 entered airline service on December 9, 1985.

The initial ATR-42-300 was the standard production version of the ATR-42 family until 1996 and featured a greater payload range and a higher takeoff weight than the prototypes. The similar ATR-42-320 (also withdrawn in 1996) differed in having the more powerful PW-121 engines for better hot and high performance, while the ATR-42 Cargo is a quick change freight/passenger version of the 42-300.

The ATR-42-500 is the first significantly improved version of the aircraft and features a revised interior, more powerful PW-127Es for a substantially increased cruising speed (565km/h/305kt) driving six-blade propellers, an 1850km (1000nm) maximum range, the EFIS cockpit, elevators and rudders of the stretched ATR-72 (described separately), plus new brakes and landing gear and strengthened wing and fuselage for higher weights. The first ATR-42-500 delivery was in October 1995. ATR was part of Aero International (Regional), the regional airliner consortium established in January 1996 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, until its disbandment in mid-1998 when ATR regained its independence.

In mid-2000, ATR launched a freighter conversion program for both the -42 and -72, involving installing a forward freight door and modifying the cabin for freight. The ATR-42 Freighter can carry a 5.8-tonne payload. DHL Aviation Africa was the launch customer with two converted ATR-42-300s redelivered in September and December 2000.

Aircraft Data

RocketRoute added advanced performance data for the following profiles:

• Climb (High-speed climb, Normal climb, climb Normal 160KIAS, climb Normal 190KIAS)
• Cruise (Max speed cruise, Long range cruise, Normal cruise, Cruise Long range cruise NP=86%, Max Cruise NP=77%, Max Cruise NP=86%, cruise SE Max cruise NP=77%)
• Descent (Descent 1500ft/min 200, 220, 240 KIAS, Descent 2000ft/min 200, 220, 240 KIAS, descent 3°gradient 200, 220, 240 KIAS, descent 4°gradient 200, 220, 240 KIAS, descent 5°gradient 200, 220, 240 KIAS)
• Holding (Anti-Ice On, Anti-Ice Off, holding TQ NP=77%, holding TQ NP=86%)
• Mass and Balance