ATR Launches –600 Series Turboprops

European turboprop aircraft manufacturer, ATR used the start of a two-week, North American ATR-72-500 sales blitz to launch of the –600 series, the newest version of the firm’s family of aircraft that will be available in the second half of 2010. The new 50-seat ATR-42-600 and 70-seat ATR 72-600 features the latest technological enhancements while building on the attributes of the current aircraft, namely high efficiency, proven dispatch reliability and low fuel burn and operating cost.
According to Stephane Mayer, ATR’s chief executive, the –600 series aircraft will incorporate a new avionics suite made by Thales. He said ATR concluded negotiations on Oct. 1 with Thales and another un-named “world leader in the avionics field” that were short-listed for the project. The glass cockpit, with five six-in. by eight-in. color displays will replace the current Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS). The new avionics will provide CAT IIIA instrument landing capabilities. Both the ATR-42-600 and ATR-72-600 will be powered by the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft 127M, which will be certified before the end of this year with deliveries starting in 2008, said John Moore, head of sales for ATR. The “M” model PW127 offers five percent more power than the PW127F, providing improved performance for hot-and-high conditions.