ATR 72

The ATR 72 is a twin-engine turboprop short-haul regional airliner built by the French-Italian aircraft manufacturer ATR. A stretched variant of the ATR 42, the aircraft seats up to 78 passengers in a single-class configuration, and is operated by a two-pilot crew. 

Powerplants

ATR-72-200 - Two 1610kW (2160shp) Pratt & Whitney Canada PW-124B turboprops driving four blade Hamilton Sundstrand propellers.
ATR-72-210 - Two 1850kW (2480shp) P&WC PW-127 turboprops driving four blade Hamilton Sundstrand propellers.
ATR-72-500 - Two 2051kW (2750shp) P&WC PW-127F turboprops driving six blade Hamilton Sundstrand propellers.

Performance

ATR-72-200 - Max cruising speed at 15,000ft 526km/h (284kt), economical cruising speed 460km/h (248kt). Range with reserves at max optional weight 1195km (645nm), range with 66 pax 2665km (1200nm).

Weights

ATR-72-200 - Operating empty 12,400kg (27,337lb), max takeoff 21,500kg (47,400lb), optional 22,000kg (48,501lb).

ATR-72-210 - Operating empty 12,450kg (27,447lb), max takeoff same as ATR-72-200.
ATR-72-500 - Operating empty 12,950kg (28,550lb), max takeoff 22,000kg (48,501lb), optional 22,500kg (49,604lb).

Dimensions

Wing span 27.05m (88ft 9in), length 27.17m (89ft 2in), height 7.65m (25ft 1in). Wing area 61.0m2 (656.6sq ft).

Capacity

Flightcrew of two. Max seating for 74 passengers at four abreast and 76cm (30in) pitch. More typical seating for between 64 and 70 passengers, with seat pitch starting from 81cm (32in). With larger forward freight door fitted it can accommodate a payload of 7200kg (15,875lb) in 13 containers. ATR-52C - 7500kg (16,535lb) payload comprising pallets or five LD3 containers.

Production

As at late 2001 292 ATR-72s had been ordered, with 270 delivered.

Type

70 seat turboprop regional airliner

History

The ATR-72 is a stretched development of the popular ATR-42 and was launched in January 1986.
The first of three ATR-72 development aircraft flew for the first time on October 27 1988, followed by the awarding of French and then US certification in late 1989. Entry into service was on October 27 1989 with Kar Air of Finland. Some other early operators are Foshing Airlines, NFD (later Eurowings), CSA, American Eagle, TAT, Air Littoral, LOT, and Olympic Aviation.
Significant differences between the ATR-72 and the smaller and older ATR-42 include a 4.50m (14ft 9in) fuselage stretch and reworked wings. The ATR-72's wings are new outboard of the engine nacelles and with 30% of it made up of composite materials, comprising composite spars and skin panels and a carbon fibre wing box.
Aside from the baseline ATR-72-200, two developments have been offered, the ATR-72-210, and the ATR-72-500 (previously ATR-72-210A). The ATR-72-210 is optimised for operations in hot and high conditions. It has more powerful PW-127 engines for better takeoff performance.
The ATR-72-500 (renamed from ATR-72-210A on May 18, 1998) further improved hot and high model was certificated in early 1997. It features PW-127Fs driving six blade composite Hamilton Sundstrand propellers.
The ATR-52C is an as yet unlaunched derivative with a redesigned tail to incorporate a rear loading ramp, intended for military and commercial operators. As with the ATR-42, a military maritime patrol version, known as the Petrel 72, has also been offered.
The ATR-72 would have formed the basis for the ATR-82, a 78 seat stretched development. The ATR-82 would have been powered by two Allison AE-2100 turboprops (ATR studied turbofans for a time) and would have a cruising speed as high as 610km/h (330kt). The ATR-82 was suspended when AI(R) was formed in early 1996.

Variants

ATR 72–100

Two sub-types were marketed as the 100 series (−100).

ATR 72–101

Initial production variant with front and rear passenger doors, powered by two PW124B engines and certified in September 1989.

ATR 72–102

Initial production variant with a front cargo door and a rear passenger door, powered by two PW124B engines and certified in December 1989.

ATR 72–200

Two sub-types were marketed as the 200 series (−200). The −200 was the original production version, powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW124B engines rated at 2,400 shp (1,800 kW).

ATR 72–201

Higher maximum take-off weight variant of the −101, a PW124B powered variant certified in September 1989.

ATR 72–202

Higher maximum take-off weight variant of the −102, a PW124B powered variant certified in December 1989.

ATR 72–210

Two sub-types were marketed as the 210 series (−210), the −211, (and with an enlarged cargo door, called the −212), is a −200 with PW127 engines producing 2,750 shp (2,050 kW) each for improved performance in hot and high-altitude conditions. Difference between the sub-types is the type of doors, emergency exits.

ATR 72–211

PW127 powered variant certified in December 1992.

ATR 72–212

PW127 powered variant certified in December 1992.

ATR 72–500

ATR 72-212A

Marketed as the −500 and certified in January 1997 with either PW127F or PW127M engines the −212A is an upgraded version of the −210 using six-bladed propellers on otherwise identical PW127F engines. Other improvements include higher maximum weights and superior performance, as well as greater automation of power management to ease pilot workload.

ATR 72–600

The –600 series aircraft was announced in October 2007; the first deliveries were planned for the second half of 2010.

The new ATR 42–600 and 72–600 feature a number of improvements over previous versions. They are powered by the new PW127M engines, which enable a 5% increase in takeoff power called for by a "boost function" as needed, only when called for by the takeoff conditions. The flight deck features five wide LCD screens (improving on the EFIS from previous versions). A multi-purpose computer (MPC) aims at increasing flight safety and operational capabilities, and new Thales-made avionics provide RNP capabilities. Finally, the aircraft feature lighter seats and larger overhead baggage bins.

The prototype ATR 72–600 (registered F-WWEY) first flew on 24 July 2009; it had been converted from an ATR 72–500.

The ATR 72–600 Series launch customer is Royal Air Maroc Express. Air New Zealand announced in October 2011 that it would purchase 12 new ATR 72–600 to add to their 11 ATR 72–500 regional Mount Cook Airlines fleet. Colombia and El Salvador airline Avianca-TACA signed a contract for 15 ATR 72–600 in December 2012, with an option for 15 airplanes more, to replace older Fokkers. The largest –600 operator is Azul Brazilian Airlines, with 18 aircraft in its fleet.

NOTE: According to the ATR42 & 72 EASA Type Certificate Data Sheet TCDS A.084, Iss 3, 17-10-2012, "ATR 72-500" and "ATR 72-600" are the manufacturer's marketing designations of ATR 72-212A aircraft model with certain options installed. These marketing designations are not recognised by EASA as any new certified aircraft model or variant, and must not be used on ATR certified/approved documentation, where only ATR 72-212A must be indicated.