ATR - 42
Designed as a regional airliner and cargo transport that could quickly be fitted for other requirements such as VIP. Essentially a replacement for older types such as the Convair turboprop family, early Fokker F.27s and Fairchild F-27s. Production of the first generation aircraft occurred between 1985 and 1996. The new generation variant the -500 is now the standard production model.
The first flight was made on 16 August 1984 and after successful trials went into service with Air Littoral in March 1986. The next generation models of the ATR 42 received certification on July 28th 1995 before entering service with Air Dolomiti.
Construction materials included light alloys and greater use of composites for the wing roots. The next generation -500 variant utilises noise absorbing Carbon/Nomex and Kevlar/Nomex construction including seven stiffened forward fuselage frames and active vibration absorbers, in addition to a 40 per cent increase on the overhead baggage space and an all new air conditioning system.
To Date Models are: ATR42-300, 300C (Cargo model, notably an additional large door version was added to the family in 2000), 300F (Military Freighter version), 320, and the next generation -500 which included improvements noted above and with six rather than four bladed propellers featuring electronic control, a composite tail and new undercarriage wheels and brakes.
