Part one of our airliner programme appraisal takes temperatures in the regional sector. With Russian and Japanese projects progressing, competition is heating up for jet manufacturers Bombardier and Embraer. Smaller emergent types have met cool receptions, notwithstanding STOL twin-prop revivals. Elsewhere, conversions are giving ageing aircraft an Indian summer, but it is unclear what turboprop revamps will bring.
CONTENTS
New entrants
STOL twin-props
Turboprops
China and Russia
Small regionals
Cargo conversions
Turboprop manufacturer ATR has launched its -600 series but is tight-lipped on what comes next. Picture: ATR
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