ATR-42-300 - Two flat rated 1340kW (1800shp) Pratt & Whitney Canada PW-120 turboprops driving four blade c/s Hamilton Standard propellers.
ATR-42-320 - Two flat rated 1417kW (1900shp) PW-121s.
ATR-42-500 - Two PW-127Es derated to 1610kW (2160shp) driving six blade RatierFagiec/Hamilton Standard props.
Performance
ATR-42-300 - Max cruising speed 490km/h (265kt) economical cruising speed 450km/h (243kt). Range with max fuel and reserves at max cruising speed 4480km (2420nm), or 5040km (2720nm) at economical cruising speed.
ATR-42-320 - Same as ATR-42-300 except max cruising speed 498km/h (269kt).
ATR-42-500 - Cruising speed 563km/h (304kt). Max range 1850km (1000nm).
Weights
ATR-42-300 - Operating empty 10,285kg (22,674lb), max takeoff 16,700kg (36,817lb).
ATR-42-320 - Operating empty 10,290kg (22,685lb), max takeoff as per 42-300.
ATR-42-500 - Operating empty 11,250kg (24,802lb), max takeoff 18,600kg (41,005lb).
Flightcrew of two. Maximum passenger accommodation for 50, 48 or 46 at 76cm (30in) pitch and four abreast. Typical seating arrangement for 42 at 81cm (32in) pitch.
ATR-42 Cargo - Nine containers with a 4000kg payload.
Production
In late 2002 total orders for all versions of the ATR-42 stood at 369 with 367 delivered.
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 features 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 The similar ATR-42-320 (also withdrawn in 1996) differed in having the more powerful PW-121 engines for better hot and high performance, while the ATR-42 Cargo is a quick change freight/passenger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, a 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. Copyright Airliners.net, some information Copyright Aerospace Publications
The backbone of this section is from the The International Directory of
Civil Aircraft by Gerard Frawley and used with permission. To get your own
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