With this certification, ATR can commence delivery of the regional aircraft equipped with the most advanced technologies on the market

The turboprop aircraft manufacturer ATR is pleased to announce that the ATR 72-600, the new member of its aircraft family, has obtained certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). A prerequisite for the aircraft's entry into service, this certification covers the new equipment on the aircraft, and is the successful conclusion to a series of ground and flight tests conducted on the ATR 72-600 prototype. Flight testing on the aircraft began in the summer of 2009.

This series of tests validated the proper functioning of the new systems and equipment installed on the aircraft, such as its new avionics: a new glass cockpit with 5 LCD screens, new communication, navigation, monitoring, flight management (FMS), Automatic Pilot and alert management systems, and a new MPC computer system (including aircraft maintenance and protection functions).

Filippo Bagnato, CEO of ATR, said he is "...very proud to see that the ATR 72-600 is now on the brink of entering into service and allowing airlines to discover its many advantages. Development of the new 600-series ATRs is based on our commitment to continue developing our line of aircraft in order to better meet the needs of regional airlines, in terms of operating costs as well as airworthiness and passenger comfort. The ATR '-600', now the most advanced regional aircraft on the market, features new avionics, developed in partnership with Thales, which make flight management even simpler thanks to its state-of-the-art technology. It also features a new cabin, designed by Giugiaro, with new, even more comfortable seats which are also lighter-weight, and completely redesigned baggage stows offering more storage space for passengers. The new ATR '-600's' entry into service will soon open up new commercial prospects for us."

The test campaign was mainly conducted in Toulouse, although the aircraft also traveled to Tarbes and Agen (France), Lugano (Switzerland) and Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris. While in Tarbes and Agen, ATR was able to test proper functioning of the automatic pilot system, notably in high wind conditions. In Lugano, ATR tested the ATR 72-600 on steep landing strips (slope: 6.65 degrees). At Charles de Gaulle Airport, ATR checked the navigation management systems (radio, SMS, GPS, RNP) in traffic conditions characteristic of a busy major airport.

Since launching the new ATR 42-600 and ATR 72-600 program in October 2007, ATR has received orders for a total of 141 aircraft in this new series.

Delivery of the first ATR 72-600s will begin this summer. Royal Air Maroc, who ordered a total of 4 ATR 72-600s and 2 ATR 42-600s, will be the first operator to take delivery of an ATR 72-600.

Testing on the ATR 42-600 is currently underway, and this aircraft will benefit from its close similarity to the ATR 72-600 (fuselage, engines, avionics). Its certification is expected at the end of the year.

About the ATR 72-600

Passenger capacity: 68-74 seats
Engines: PW 127M
Maximum power at take-off: 2,750 horse power per engine
Maximum weight at take-off: 23,000 Kg
Maximum load: 7,500 Kg
Maximum range with full passenger load: 899 nautical miles (1,665 Km)

About ATR

Founded in 1981, ATR has become the leading manufacturer worldwide on the 50-to-74-seat regional turboprop aircraft market. Since the start of the program, ATR has sold more than 1,100 aircraft, operated by 175 airlines in 94 countries. ATR aircraft have accumulated more than 20 million flight hours. ATR, which has its headquarters in Toulouse, is an equal-share joint venture between two major players in the European aviation market, Alenia Aeronautica (part of the Finmeccanica group) and EADS. ATR holds ISO 14001 certification, the global benchmark for environmental management and sustainable development.