ATR Aircraft is pushing ahead with its ATR42-600S, with the aircraft passing a major milestone – the move from design work to industrialisation
The ATR42-600S – Rendering, ATR Aircraft.
With the development of the ATR 42-600S reaching a key milestone -Maturity Gate 7 – it marks the end of the aircraft design phase.
At this point, the overall architecture has been frozen, aircraft performance is confirmed, and ATR’s partners and suppliers can start manufacturing the first parts.
Or as the airframer calls it – industrialisation
All critical design reviews have been successfully passed: the aircraft architecture has been frozen, the expected performance is confirmed and ATR’s partners and suppliers can start drawing release for the new parts, source all necessary components and tools, and manufacture the parts.
The ATR42-600S is an aircraft designed for Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL), with the planned ability to take off from a runway of 800 metres or more. It will have a capacity between 30 and 50 seats, with performance at low speeds as well as hot and high operations.
The development schedule of the ATR 42-600S (for STOL) has been adjusted due to Covid-19
In Quotes
Michelangelo Esposito, ATR STOL Programme Manager said:
“The STOL teams have been doing a tremendous job to make this possible. They have adapted their ways of working to the COVID-19 challenging context, working collaboratively without being able to see each other or traveling to meet our suppliers. It takes an engaged and passionate workforce such as ATR’s to overcome these challenges.”
Onwards to market
With the ATR42-600S clearing the design hurdles, it now faces the challenge of the open market.
It’s a small market – with 20 commitments so far.
But with the possibility of opening up new markets which have smaller runways for some airlines that need that capacity – either as a passenger aircraft or to ferry cargo, it could become invaluable for some operators in the longer term.
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