ATR 42 et 72

ATR: 'A lot of interest' in potential larger turboprop
Tuesday April 7, 2009
ATR has had serious discussions with airlines and suppliers about producing a larger turboprop and has found "a lot of interest" in the manufacturer's building a bigger aircraft than the 70-seat ATR 72, Head of Sales John Moore told ATWOnline.

"We are certainly looking at that market and have had some very positive feedback from airlines that they do see a need for a larger capacity turboprop," Moore said yesterday. "There are a growing number of routes where the 70-seat turboprop is too limited."

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft President Gary Scott last month confirmed that his company intended to move forward with a stretch version of the 70-seat Q400 with first delivery likely in a 2013-14 timeframe (ATWOnline, March 27).

Moore said ATR's discussions with engine-makers (Pratt & Whitney supplies the PW127F to power the ATR 72-500) are particularly key regarding the timing of its decision to launch a larger turboprop program. "It has to have significant gains in efficiency," he explained, emphasizing that no decision had been made. The potential aircraft would "not be a stretch [of the ATR-72] but would be a new airplane," he said.

ATR schedules first -600 flight for early September
By David Kaminski-Morrow

Regional aircraft manufacturer ATR has tentatively scheduled the first flight of its new -600 variant for early September.

The company had indicated in May that the flight-testing of the ATR 72-600 could start in June.

But during the Paris Air Show last month the airframer confined itself to saying that the first flight would take place in summer.

A source familiar with the programme says that ATR has fixed a provisional date at the tail-end of the summer season, and that the turboprop will fly within the first two weeks of September.

Ground testing of the 72-600 started last year, with power-on taking place in December. The manufacturer is also developing a -600 variant of its smaller ATR 42 aircraft.

Grâce à Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways et PB Air, ATR avait une bonne assise en Thaïlande. Celle-ci s’est encore consolidée le 9 septembre : l’avionneur franco-italien a livré son premier ATR 72-500 à l’armée de l’Air thaïlandaise.

Doté d’une porte passager optionnelle à l’avant, le turbopropulseur a été livré dans une version VIP : il sera en effet destiné au transport de la famille royale. Il pourra également être utilisé par des membres du gouvernement ou des officiers de l’armée.

Trois autres exemplaires d’ATR 72-500 ont été commandés, lorsque le contrat d’achat a été signé en 2007. Tous devraient être livrés avant la fin de l’année.

Stéphane Mayer, Président d’ATR, a souligné à l’occasion de cette livraison l’importance de la présence du constructeur en Asie du Sud-Est, clef de son succès dans la région. Bangkok abrite en effet un centre de formation FFS et Singapour un centre de support, ce qui permet aux compagnies d’optimiser la formation de leurs équipages et ingénieurs et d’avoir rapidement accès au service technique et aux pièces de rechange.

28
Merci!
ATR présente le premier appareil de sa nouvelle série 600

publié le 01/10/2009 à 17:48, Emilie Drab





ATR
L’ATR 72-600 a fait son roll-out. Bien qu’il soit sorti de son hangar depuis plusieurs mois, l’ATR 72-600 a été officiellement présenté pour la première fois le 1er octobre à Toulouse, en présence de Dominique Bussereau, Secrétaire d’Etat chargé des Transports.

Le turbopropulseur est actuellement en pleine campagne d’essais en vol depuis le mois de juillet et a été mis sous tension dès décembre 2008. L’ATR 42-600 devrait quant à lui entamer ses tests en vol en 2010.

Les deux appareils ayant de grandes similitudes, certains tests réalisés par l’ATR 72-600 ne nécessiteront pas d’être réitérés pour l’ATR 42-600. Par conséquent, les turbopropulseurs cumuleront respectivement cent cinquante et soixante-quinze heures de vol et pourront entrer en service la même année, en 2011.

La nouvelle série d’ATR est équipée de turbopropuleurs PW 127M de Pratt & Whitney Canada. Dotés d’une fonction « boost », ils pourront fournir 5% de puissance supplémentaire lorsque les conditions de décollage l’exigeront. La masse maximale au décollage de l’ATR 72 a également été augmentée à 23t. Enfin les nouveaux appareils disposeront d’une toute nouvelle suite avionique à affichage numérique.

Au 1er octobre, cinquante-neuf appareils de la nouvelle série ont été commandés, cinq ATR 42-600 et cinquante-quatre ATR 72-600.

ATR hands over final ATR 72 to Royal Thai Air Force
By Kate Sarsfield

European turboprop manufacturer ATR has handed over the fourth and final VIP ATR 72-500 to the Royal Thai Air Force as interest in the executive version of its twin-turboprop regional airliner family continues to grow.

The Thai aircraft - used exclusively by the country's royal family, government and military officials - have helped to spur interest in the ATR 42 and 72, particularly from other customers in Asia, says ATR. "We have opened discussions with a number of potential clients in Asia and across the world who are looking for aircraft with low operating costs and large cabins," says the EADS and Alenia joint venture.

ATR has sold 12 VIP-configured ATRs since the 1990s - five 42s and seven 72s - but only recently launched a marketing effort to promote the types in the business aviation arena. "Although the airline market is our main focus, we are well positioned to provide a more cost-efficient alternative to other business aircraft available on the market and there is certainly demand for these aircraft in this economic climate," says the company.



Royal Thai Air Force


Given that most VIP flights last no more than 2h, says ATR, "both the 50-seat 42 and 68-seat 72 aircraft have large cabins that can be adapted for a number of roles, such as group or executive transport".

The aircraft can also be re-sold into the airliner or cargo markets, "which boosts their appeal", ATR adds.

ATR in advanced talks with GE, P&W for large-sized turboprop engine

By Mary Kirby

French airframer ATR has entered advanced discussions with Pratt
& Whitney and General Electric (GE) on powering a new, larger-sized
commercial turboprop, and says it will decide whether or not to launch
such a product next year.
"You know we are discussing with two to three engine manufacturers
but not just general discussions, but in a very detailed way, and namely
Pratt and Whitney and General Electric and they have very, very
interesting things for us," says Mario Formica, head of marketing for
ATR, the EADS-Alenia
joint venture, which manufactures the 50-seat ATR 42-500 and 70-seat
ATR 72-500.

ATR

ATR has been studying the 90-seat market. A decision needs to be
taken by 2011 since ATR "would like to enter into the market at around
2016", Formica said today during a press briefing at the Regional
Airline Association (RAA) convention in Milwaukee.
GE Aviation is offering a turboprop engine based on a derivative of
the GE38 turboshaft it has developed for Sikorsky's CH-53K heavylift
helicopter.
"The GE38 is the military turboshaft. What we're studying is a
derivative, a turboprop, that would use a lot of the core," says Chuck
Nugent, general manager of the CF34
turbofan programme. "That's what we're talking to airframers about."
Nugent says GE is confident the new turboprop engine can deliver
"double digit fuel burn improvement" than what is available on the
market today. GE is eyeing a service entry of 2015 for the engine.
Asked if GE might scale the programme to support a next generation
50-seat turboprop Nugent says: "Currently our thought process is to
utilise the core size defined by the GE38 and use that for potential
opportunities. Propose that for potential opportunities."
ATR, meanwhile, is also progressing with its Series 600 programme.
The airframer unveiled the -600 successor variant for its ATR 42 and 72
models in late 2007. Flight testing of the ATR 42-600 began in March.
ATR expects to receive certification in November 2010 with first
deliveries scheduled for the second half of 2011, says Formica.http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/05/25/342404/atr-in-advanced-talks-with-ge-pw-for-large-sized-turboprop.html

ATR has teamed with Italian design house Giugiaro Design to develop the new ATR Series 600 cabin, marking Giugiaro's entry into the commercial aviation interior design market.
The two firms have worked closely together "to create an ultra modern, appealing and comfortable cabin", called Armonia, a name linked to beauty, harmony, balance and calm, says ATR.
Armonia's cleanly-styled seats have been ergonomically designed to ensure greater knee clearance. Coupled with the Armonia ceiling; side panels; overhead bins, and LED lighting, the ATR Series 600 cabin will feel more spacious and airy, says ATR, noting that Armonia also uses lightweight materials, reducing its total weight by the equivalent of two passengers.
ATR is offering an optional two-class configuration with a first class that boasts wider seats in 2+1 layout. It is also offering an optional jetway-capable forward door with a new designed spacious entrance area.

Giugiaro Design has been involved in high profile car, corporate aircraft, train, ship and motorcycle design projects. But the ATR project is the firm's first commercial aircraft project.
"ATR was just the partner we were looking for to translate the know-how we attained in the car design field into the aviation sector. The project developed for ATR was extremely motivating and challenging: co-operating with such a world leader in the turboprop market meant remarkable, intense and interesting exchange of experiences and inspirations, which we think are key success factors, also for future programs," says Giugiaro Design co-chairman and styling director Fabrizio Giugiaro.
Visitors at next week's Farnborough air show will be able to see a full=-scale mock-up of the Armonia cabin.
ATR, meanwhile, is also seeing progress on other aspects of its Series 600 programme. The airframer unveiled the -600 successor variant for its ATR 42 and 72 models in late 2007. Flight testing of the ATR 42-600 began in March. ATR expects to receive certification in November 2010 with first deliveries scheduled for the second half of 2011.