ATR presents ATR 72-600 prototype
03 Oct 2009
Regional aircraft maker ATR officially presented its first ATR 72-600 prototype at a ceremony in Toulouse yesterday exactly two years after it announced the launch of its -600 series. The prototype-600, which started its flight tests in July 2009, is powered by new Pratt & Whitney 127M engines.
"The new -600 series has been designed to improve the performance of our aircraft in terms of fuel consumption and engine power, maximum takeoff load and reduction of maintenance costs," CEO Stephane Mayer said yesterday.
According to ATR, development of both the ATR 72-600 and ATR 42-600 is progressing according to schedule.
ATR is an acknowledged world-leader in the 50 to 74-seat turboprop market.
The power-on of the first new-build -600, which will be an ATR 42-600, is planned for December 2009 with flight trials starting soon after. Commercial deliveries of the first ATR 72-600s and ATR 42-600s is planned for 2011, with Royal Air Maroc being the launch customer.
Currently, ATR has orders for 59 -600 series aircraft, comprising five 42-600s and 54 72-600s.