ATR to Present First ATR ‘-600 series’ Aircraft on 1 October 2009

The official presentation of the first ATR ‘-600 series’ aircraft, an ATR 72-600, is to take place on 1 October 2009 at a ceremony in Toulouse, France.

The new ‘-600 series’ programme for both models, ATR 72-600 and ATR 42-600, launched in October 2007.

The first ATR 72-600 aircraft started its flight trials campaign on July 24, 2009 after being powered-on in December 2008.

Flight trials for the first ATR 42-600 aircraft will take place next year.

These two aircraft should make some 150 and 75 flight hours respectively in order to test the new equipment, including a new avionics suite and the most modern navigation aid tools.

The ATR ‘-600 series’ aircraft, powered with PW 127M engines, take an additional 500 Kg on MTOW (Maximum Take-off weight) and MZFW (Maximum Zero Fuel Weight).

The ATR ‘-600 series is also to be fitted with a new cabin offering the more modern standards of comfort and design.

According to plan, certification will lead to the entry into service of the first commercial ATR 72-600s and ATR 42-600s in 2011.

Today, two years after the launch of this programme, ATR has already booked orders for 59 ATR ‘-600 series’ aircraft (5 ATR 42-600s and 54 ATR 72-600s).

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